Vakdragnar awoke to soreness in his back and neck as though he’d been sleeping at an odd angle. He sat up to get his bearings and was for a moment, confused. Then recognition took over, and his stomach sank. He was back in the Guardhouse.

They’d placed him in a cell. His head hurt because he'd slept upon a granite slab. He felt sore, stiff, and not the least bit rested. They had confiscated the pastry bag containing the grue-worm, and they had outfitted him with another annoying, itchy, bright orange, inferior-cloth shirt.

The cell was bare except for the slab. You can tell a lot about a city by how they treat their criminals; he thought, as he rose to stretch his muscles. Iron bars spaced somewhat evenly blocked his freedom. The only door was likely locked, but Vak checked it anyway. No luck.

I haven’t been unconscious for more than a few hours. He said, looking out at the lone window on the other side of the jail. Outside it was still dark, with no threat of becoming light. He paced around his cell. There was little he could do but wait. It was only a few minutes before Captain Lance strolled in, sword at his side.

“You assured me you weren’t here to cause trouble.” He said in an annoyed tone.

“I had no intention of causing trouble. I still do not.” Vak said, honestly.

“Well, it's only been a day, and here you are back in one of my cells. So, you’ll excuse me if I’m skeptical of your intentions.”

“It is all a misunderstanding.”

Lance barked a short laugh. “Sure, sure. So, I have statements from several people detailing just how disruptive you have been in my city.”

“They are mistaken.”

“So, you didn’t get in a brawl behind the Flame’s Fondness hours after being permitted in the city?”

“I was assaulted.”

“I have three men attesting that you drunkenly attacked them. Then you carried one across the city and stuck a bloody knife in his unconscious hand.”

“He was a thief.”

“Kosta? He sure is, but it would be downright idiotic of him to go after a man of your size instead of an easier score.”

“I agree,” Vak confirmed. “He is not very bright.”

“Next you’re going to tell me you didn’t threaten the baker’s kid?”

“That was a..”

“A misunderstanding. Right, you’ve said that.”

“If you speak to him again…”

“Oh, we got his signed testimony that morning. He attests you came into the bakery and threatened him as well as some of the other customers.”

“A lot was going on; he had just learned his girlfriend had gone missing. We have cleared up the misunderstanding if you would go and speak with him again.”

“Oh, sure. You threaten Destin to recant his testimony. I know how it works. We speak with him now and suddenly, his whole story changes. I’ll pass.”

“It is the truth.”

“What I know to be the truth is that you injured two of my guards in full view of about forty people, while under arrest. You evaded lawful arrest, ran, and broke into a church. Then you were found by a local group of heroes in the backroom dealing with the Grievspair Organization. I don’t even need to call the judge, I have never seen anyone so completely guilty in all my years. The icing on the shit sandwich of your little foray into my city is that you destroyed your city-issued clothing.”

Vak declined to answer.

“No more objections to your crimes?”

“What would be the point? It sounds as though you have made up your mind. What is to become of me?”

“Well, that ain’t my department, but I’ll be recommending to the judge we hang you in the morning.”

Vak’s stomach did a roll. This is insane. How in all ten of the hells did I get here?

“Oh come now, Captain Lance,” a feminine voice said from beyond Vak’s field of vision. “You don’t want to have to go through all that paperwork?” Lance turned to allow the woman entry; it was the fire mage, Cassie.

“It’s part of the job, ma’am,” Lance said. The way he spoke to her was entirely different, less confident, and more familiar.

“Oh, and you’re ever so good at your job, Captain,” she replied, running her hand through her orange hair. Lance gave her a big dopey smile. She pressed the small advantage. “Listen, do you think we could have a teensy little talk with your inmate?”

“I’m not sure that’s a good idea…” Lance said but stopped when she cupped her hands on the side of his face.

“Please, Captain. A small favor for me?” She said, puffing out her chest. Captain Lance was utterly entranced.

“Only if you call me, Garryson.”

“Oh, Garry,” she said playfully. “You’re such a flirt!” She said with a wink. “Do you ever get any nights off?”

“I’m sure I could take some time for you.”

“Oh, you!” She said with a playful slap on his arm. Vak’s stomach was spinning again, but this time, it was out of nausea. Thankfully ‘Garry’ left without much more flirting and then the rest of Shattershade piled into the area outside Vak’s cell.

“What are we doing here, Cass?” Braid asked in an authoritative tone.

“Tada,” She said, pointing to Vak.

“Cassie, he is a waste of time,” Braid told her. “Anka already spoke with him, when he broke into the church.”

“Yeah,” Anka added. “Not much reason to get involved. Rag doesn’t have anything of value for us.” Vak looked at the Tey Paira as she spoke. Her pockets were weighed down with something. He could see it in the way she was holding herself. The way they jingled as she moved. She was concealing something within them.

“Did you rob the Thieves Guild?” Vak asked. All four turned to look at him.

“What did you say?” Dam said in a threatening tone.

“The Tey Paira, her pockets, and bags are filled with what appears to be gold or gems. They were empty earlier, so I am assuming she just has not had time to place the stolen goods elsewhere.”

“Listen here; I didn’t steal a damn thing,” Anka screamed.

“No, seriously, what did he say?” Dam added. “I wasn’t paying attention.”

“He thinks we’re thieves,” Braid answered. He stood taller in response to the challenge.

“Alright, everyone, calm down,” Cassie said, interjecting herself. “We are getting distracted here.”

“I agree completely,” Braid said, turning to leave.

“You said we needed help!” Cassie said, stopping him in his tracks.

“You don’t mean…” Braid started.

“Oh, but I do.” She responded. “Just look at him. He’s big, and those muscles!” She said, pretending to swoon. “He was the only one still standing after we hit the GO. Maybe this one won’t just get eaten by a monster.”

“He’s a criminal, Cass,” Braid said, concerned.

“Well, so was Dam when we first found him,” Anka added in an annoyed tone.

“Hmm?” Dam said. He had gone back to carving small lewd pictures in the cell wall. The rest ignored him.

“Think of it this way,” Cassie said. “He is out of options, desperate even. Plus he seems like the loyal type. Wouldn’t you like to have this guy on our side?” she said, placing her hands on her hips.

“Cass, is this another incident like with that minstrel?”

“What! No, nothing like that! Sebastian was very dear to me! Just what are you insinuating?”

“Are you going after the demon,” Vak said, interrupting them again.

“A what!” Dam said backing away and checking the exits.

“The demon. You WERE trying to find Nina Hale, were you not?”

Braid laughed. “Don’t tell me you bought into that thieve’s babble? We interrogated them already. It’s preposterous.”

“I looked the man in the eyes. There was no lie there.”

“Well, you are new to city-life. Here, not everyone is always telling the truth.” Anka told him.

“I know the sound of a lie,” Vak responded, annoyed.

“Do you?” Anka said in a mocking tone.

“I suppose you still believe ‘Goblins’ took her?” Vak questioned.

“Ah-ha!” Braid said. “You see, I knew I was right. The wildman has come to the very same conclusion I did in my investigation! What did you see, wild man?”

“No, I did not see anything,” Vak told him, frustrated. “Why would Goblins come to a populated city to attack and murder a woman?”

“Why did you?” Braid asked him.

“Aha! He’s got you there.” Dam gloated.

“I… it does not matter,” Vak said, feeling his anger rise. “Are you going after Nina Hale’s murder.”

“Murderers.” Braid corrected him. “And yes.”

“Then take me with you. Please.”

“Did you know her?” Cassie said a bit confused.

“No, but whatever killed her,” He said, stressing the word, “does not deserve to walk this earth any longer.”

Cassie looked to Braid. “See, he’s got motivation. Tell me you didn’t get a chill up your spine when he spoke?”

“Alright, fine. He can come. I’ll go talk to Captain Lance.” Braid said defeated.

“He isn’t getting any of our cut,” Anka said, shouting after him.

“Of course not,” Cassie told her. “We’d obviously hire him at a day rate, not our split.”

“Very well.” She said, raising her nose in the air. “Come on, Dam.”

“Huh?” he said, looking around. Then he hurried to follow after Anka.

“What is going on?” Vak said, moving towards the bars.

“We’re getting you out of here.” Cassie cooed. “You said you wanted to come with us. Fight your demons.”

“But I am in serious trouble with Captain Lance.”

“Oh, he’s a big softy. We’ve done so much good for this city that they can’t help but give us a new packman.”

“Wait, what am I going to be doing exactly?”

“Oh, quite a bit,” Cassie said, placing her hand on his shoulder. She squeezed it. “We’ll be putting those muscles to a lot of work carrying our gear, supplies, or treasures we find. That kind of thing.”

“I am to be your slave?”

“Oh, honey, I wouldn’t say that,” Cassie said, comforting him.

“Good, for a moment there I was worried I was a slave.”

“Oh, absolutely not! Slave is such an ugly word. I much prefer the phrase 'indentured servant.” She said with a wink.