Bryan used several cloths to wipe himself clean of blood.
These bodies are an issue; they will say I’m a criminal…
Contemplating for a moment, he studied the men.
Remove identifying items and tell the innkeeper…
Popping out of the room into the hall, he saw another guest peering around the corner at him.
“Don’t worry, I dealt with the attackers”, Bryan stated bluntly.
The guest’s eyes widened before they slipped back into their room.
Bryan removed the rings, armour and other items.
Once he was done, the men had swords, cloaks and plain clothes.
He then collected his belongings and put them all in his Item Box.
Walking down, he saw a concerned-looking innkeeper.
“What happened up there? My inn is a peaceful place.”
Bryan audibly sighed, “Some men tried to kill me, I dealt with it”
Nodding at the confused-looking man, Bryan began to leave.
“I will be staying elsewhere”
Before the man could respond, he walked out and onto the street.
Making his way back to the market district, Bryan headed for the Rest and Ruin.
Opening the doors, he was hit by a wave of garlic.
“You back my boy?” Tessa said with a bright smile.
“Yes, do you have a room upstairs still available?”
She said yes, and after he handed her money, he got his key and went up to his room.
He lay on his bed after getting undressed.
Reorn may know who is worth removing from the equation...
Waking up in the morning, he stretched, put on his armour and went downstairs for breakfast.
Entering the hall, he took a seat by the bar, ordered food and ale.
While he ate, Reorn sat next to him.
“Oh, so you are back”
Bryan stared at him blankly and then resumed eating.
“Guess it was obvious, you done any good quests lately?” Reorn said with a smile.
Stopping for a moment, Bryan responded.
“No, I exposed a noble’s crime, the palace sent four assassins, I took care of them.”
Reorn sighed, rubbing his hand down his face.
“You know, I’m not even surprised at the things you say anymore”
Taking a swig of ale, Reorn inhales before speaking again.
“You don’t seem angry that they tried to kill you?”
Bryan shrugged, then replied, “Why would I be? It was expected”
Reorn raised his hands and gestured with exasperation.
“Ignoring that, you plan to raise public awareness or something?”
Finishing his food, Bryan pushed the bowl back on the bar.
“No, I tried that kind of thing in a few lives, never works”
Shaking his head, Reorn replied, “Fine, what do you intend to do?”
“I will need information on those high up, see if removing them helps.”
Reorn eyed him for a few moments, “You are a very concerning guy, and I’ve got quests to do. Might see you later”
Reorn got up and waved as he walked away.
Not a useful conversation. Should likely start with the guild…Ellaya’s superior?
Bryan finished his drink and made his way to his room.
***
Walking down the alley behind the guild, Bryan paused for a moment.
Observed for a few days, by this time, he should be in the offices in the back.
He walked past a few doors, noting the handles had been replaced.
Should be this door, Concealment.
Quietly, he crushed a door handle and walked inside, the corridor dimly lit.
After walking past several storage rooms, he spotted a room with a light bleeding out into the hallway.
Bryan approached it, seeing inside had a bookshelf, a desk and a man writing on parchment by candlelight.
That’s him… will try the easier way first.
Slowly, Bryan unsheathed his sword and aimed it inches from the man’s neck before dispelling concealment.
“HOLY FUCK”, the man exclaimed before seeing Bryan’s finger resting on his lips.
The man gulped, inhaled deeply and in a quiet voice spoke.
“If you are here for Lord Raeth, I will have his money soon, I promise”
Tilting his head, Bryan calmly responded.
“No, I’m here to offer you one platinum, for you to pack your bags and leave tonight”
Bryan then put his hand into his shoulder bag and pulled out a pouch after lowering his sword.
The man looked very confused, “What?…why?... I don’t understand this”
Bryan placed the pouch in front of him, “Why doesn’t matter, you have an opportunity…will you take it?”
Tapping his fingers on the table, Bryan waited as the man thought while staring into the pouch.
Looking up, a smile spread across the man’s face.
“Yes, I will leave tonight. Thank you for this… I will never forget it”
The man stood clutching the pouch tightly; he bowed to Bryan.
Easier than hiding a body.
Bryan watched the man leave the room in a rush, and then walked out himself back to the inn.
Back in his room, he woke up in bed, got up and dressed.
Ok, a few days since that guy left, should check if the guild is any different.
Making his way over to the guild, Bryan weaved through the crowd of people shopping.
He pushed the doors open to the usual wall of sound; adventurers chatting, drinking and eating.
Bryan walked over to the quest board and scanned the requests.
Hmm, they look basically the same… I will need to ask someone.
Turning around, he approached a group of adventurers and interrupted them.
“Have you noticed the quests are easier or fewer groups disappearing in the last few days?”
One adventurer looked annoyed, “Rude, we were talking.”
Another spoke, “It’s ok, Reg…No, pretty much business as usual”
The guy stopped and thought a moment, “Those ‘disappearing’, I’m sure they just went to another town, this one isn’t for everyone”
The adventurers laugh and raise their tankards.
Nothing has changed… Could give it more time, but he has likely been replaced already.
***
Bryan sat at the bar of the rest and ruin, having just finished an ale.
Been watching the cardinal for a week, he is a predictable man.
Standing up, he walked out of the inn and headed for the clinic, stopping in the doorway of a nearby building.
Waiting for a while until the Cardinal exited the building and began walking to the east.
Concealment
Bryan followed far enough away that his boots would not be heard; they walked through the street for a while until they turned down an alleyway.
Ideal place to confront him.
Once the Cardinal had reached the middle of the alleyway, Bryan appeared in front of him.
Bryan, pointing his sword at the Cardinal, “I know you like your prostitutes. If I paid you one platinum to leave, I am sure you will find plenty in another city.”
The cardinal, looking at Bryan with disgust, said, “You are a crude man; I am doing the Gods work”
Holding his hands in the air, the Cardinal steps back, “Why would I leave? The people need my help.”
Bryan stood still, “You can’t see you are inefficient, will you take the money and leave?”
The cardinal, looking confused, said, “I have no idea what you are talking about, and no, I will not. I have a duty”
Ok.
Bryan tilted his head.
Physical enhancement.
Bryan dashed and stopped on the other side of the Cardinal a moment later. Blood dripped from his sword onto the cobblestone.
He watched the Cardinal slump to the ground, and then Bryan walked over to his body.
Best put him in the bag, it’s no different than storing meat… will put him in the forest later.
***
Bryan stood in a doorway watching the clinic door.
This past week has shown interesting observations.
Enhance senses.
A large queue of people waited in line to be healed, the healer attending to them one at a time.
“How much is this going to cost me?” a man asked.
The healer placed a hand on his shoulder, “Just pay what you can. I’ll help as many as I can”
She worked with a smile on her face and a bounce in her step.
More are being healed…less dying from preventable wounds.
Bryan watched her for another hour until an extravagant carriage arrived.
Out stepped a man in religious robes holding a book. He walked past the queue and straight to the healer.
“I am the new Cardinal. We must speak inside now.” He said as he pushed the door open.
She followed him inside while those outside patiently waited.
After half an hour, the healer emerged alone, shoulders visibly slumped.
“I’m afraid the reduced rates we have been charging were in error”
Her face showing visible sadness, she inhaled.
“We will be going back to the normal prices…next please”
Those in line protested before half of them began walking away.
The change did not last…
Turning around, Bryan headed back to the Inn.
Bryan opened the doors and made his way to the bar, and sat next to Reorn.
“Hey, you still ‘Investigating’? “
Ordering a drink before responding, “Removed two important people, guild manager and the Cardinal”
Reorn looked at him, concerned, “So you killed them both?”
“I gave the guild guy money to leave, neither helped as nothing changed yet”
Reorn sighed, “Wait, does that mean you did kill the Cardinal?”
“Irrelevant, I have been thinking too small”, Bryan said, tilting his head.
“Yeah, don’t tell me…I need to think,” Reorn said, standing up and walking away.
Bryan had a drink and more food until nightfall.
I will try dealing with Lord Raeth.
Making his way through the streets, he made his way to the noble district.
He approached the courtyard of Lord Raeth’s house.
Concealment.
Bryan carefully scaled the fence and made his way inside and up the stairs. He looked for the largest bedroom.
Stopping at an intricately designed set of large doors, pushing the door slightly, he peeked in, spotting a man in a four-poster bed.
Likely him, if not its fine. Money won’t persuade him.
Creeping in, Bryan drove a dagger into the man’s chest as soon as he reached the bedside.
That was him. Now see if that changes anything.
***
Bryan was sitting in the bar of the inn, drinking and listening to the adventurers gossip.
It’s been two weeks, I’d expect most to know by now.
“You hear about that noble? Died in his sleep,” one adventurer said.
“How is that interesting?” said the other.
“Just that his cousin took over for him, they say he used to be an adventurer,” said the first.
Another simply replaced, but is he different?
Bryan calls Tessa over.
“You must overhear a lot of gossip here, for silver would you answer some questions?” Bryan said curtly.
Tessa smiled, “Oh, I don’t gossip. My boy, but feel free to ask”
“Have you noticed any improvements since that noble’s brother took over?”
Tessa contemplated for a moment, “An odd question, can’t say I have noticed any change, things still run smooth” She then smiled, patted his shoulder and left to serve other customers before he could pay.
Hmm, no change again.
Bryan stood up and walked to the chair near the fire.
Sitting down, he pulled out a list which he studied.
Removing individuals is ineffective…much more decisive action will be needed.