The town hall was the only building in town with multiple floors. As they walked Shaynen noticed a hooded figure slipping between the buildings after the party.

“You see him?” Shaynen leaned over to Haagut, who was striding along beside him.

“Yes I do.” Haagut agreed.

“See what?” Odelia slid up behind them.

“We have a pursuer.” Haagut spoke quietly. Gesturing with his shoulder toward the figure.

“Maybe he’s just shy.” Shaynen shrugged. Cleatus pushed through the party and walked into the town hall, followed by the rest of the party. Inside the building was a long set of seats, all leading to a large desk where a man sat working on some kind of paperwork. The door shut behind the party with an echo, making the man look up.

“Hi! We’re here about the rats!” Shaynen called. His voice bounced off the walls like the sound of the door.

“Right.” The man nodded. He stood from the desk as the party approached him. “I’m the Governor of Safrun. Is there something I can do for…” The man looked very pointedly at Haagut. Narrowing his eyes before finishing his thought; “You.”

“Yeah, Gregory told us most of it. But not the pay.” Cleatus put his paws on Shaynen and Haagut’s shoulders. Pushing them outward slightly so he could advance. Haagut scowled upward at him.

“Ah, well I’m offering ten gold a piece for the rats.” The Governor said. Shaynen looked down behind him toward the desk. Looking at the paperwork he was working on. It seemed to be just a long stack of debts. He frowned and looked back up.

“Is that all?” Odelia drawled.

“That’s all we can spare.” The Governor said.

“I don’t believe we’ve been introduced. My name is Shaynen! What’s yours?” Shaynen held out his hand for the Governor to shake. The older man in his battle scarred armor looked down at Shaynen for less than a second.

“You may address me as the Governor.” He said. “I have business to attend to, so if there’s no other questions?”

“The food stores, where?” Cleatus asked.

“In the basement. The door to the right. Please try not to cause more damage than the rats.” The Governor turned and left through a side door.

“He seemed rather… rotund.” Haagut scoffed. Shaynen looked at him and then toward the door the Governor left through.

“I don’t know what that means.” He said.

“Mean well-fed.” Cleatus said. “C’mon. Let’s get to the basement.” The party turned around and in the doorway was the hooded figure that had been following them.

“Oh, hey!” Shaynen waved. “We thought you were too shy to come up to us!”

“Quickly!” The figure ducked behind the door to the right. The party spared a few odd looks to each other before following the stranger into the kitchen.

“All right. Now what is it?” Odelia walked to the front of the group.

“Please. Leave.” The stranger said. Shaynen looked him up and down but his eyes caught on the medallion half hidden by the stranger’s cloak. A shiny white medallion with black antlers. He half recognized it. “The Governor is hoarding all the food. Making us pay exorbitant amounts. We’re all in debt to him, starving and trapped in this he-”

“What’s that?” Shaynen asked. Pointing to the medallion.

“It’s just a good luck charm,” The stranger hid it under his cloak.

“Must be very popular. I’ve seen it on others around cities.” Shaynen reached forward to uncover it again but had his hand slapped away.

“It’s not important! The Governor is crooked!”

“Well duh.” Haagut sneered. “But he’s also paying us.”

“I’ll double it. Triple it!” The stranger said.

“What’s your name, boy?” Odelia shifted her hands onto her hips.

“Timothy. But I’m serious. We’ve been saving up rations and money. The rats will destroy all the food the Governor is hoarding and then we’ll be able to force him to forgive our debts and we’ll escape!” The stranger explained.

“You’ll be able to pay twenty to thirty gold per person for us to just leave?” Odelia scoffed.

“A hundred gold each.” Timothy jumped. Cleatus shifted beside Shaynen. Haagut’s eyes narrowed suspiciously. He turned away and muttered under his breath.

“We could help.” Shaynen offered. “I don’t like seeing anyone go hungry. Maybe we could speak to the Governor or something.”

“What? Are you crazy? The only way you could really help is by killing him.” Timothy paused. “Could you?”

“Definitely not.” Haagut said. Looking back toward Timothy. Haagut was taken back for a second but regained composure quickly.

“I was thinking something more persuasive?” Shaynen suggested.

“You think someone like that would listen?” Odelia scoffed. Shaynen started to speak but was cut off.

“I am begging you.” Timothy said frustratedly. “Just. Please leave!” Timothy ran off and out of the kitchen.

“So… what do we do?” Shaynen asked after the door closed.

“Killing the Governor is not an option.” Odelia said. “But the coin is better if we leave.”

“If Timothy is telling the truth.” Cleatus said.

“Which we have no reason to believe he is or isn’t.” Haagut said.

“I think we should deal with the rats.” Shaynen said. The party continued bickering amongst each other about the money and legitimacy. Shaynen repeated himself twice with no notice. Finally the frustration broke through and Shaynen pulled free his quarterstaff and smacked it on the ground loud enough to echo in the kitchen. Catching everyone’s attention.

“I think!” He announced. “I think we should take care of the rats. If we do what the Governor is trying to pay us for then maybe we’ll gain favor and be able to investigate further.” Silence.

“The Governor is the more secure option for payment.” Cleatus’s voice was what punctuated the conversation.

“Wonderful. It’s settled!’ Shaynen smiled. He strode past the party and out the door. Straight into the Governor.