We leave the cave by way of a small side door, recalling the Bloomfold had told us Ardo would be dealt with as well.
Ka baskan draxin! If they've hurt
one hair on Ardo's head!
Ardo, no! What happened? Is he...
Forgrimm is like a lost little puppy. So sad.
Ardo had been talking to the two guards for a long time.
Then everything happened very quickly.
Took down three men in a single sweep. Nice.
Varman! Wait, what robbery?
What? You know this man? And you and that Mora worked with him?! By the Forge of Angrosh, what does this mean, thief?
Well... Mora and I are... old rivals. We've been in competition for a long time for the title of 'King of Thieves'. This man spoke to us in a tavern in Havena.
'King of Thieves'? What are you talking about?
It may not mean much to you. But we children of the Fox know what it means. Mora is my only serious rival. There are no better thieves than us in all Havena. This man knew that. We were arguing about how we were going to outdo each other. He joined us and did what he could to stir things up even more. Finally, he made a proposition. By the Lord of the Night, a truly foolhardy idea!
What did you steal, Cano?
Oh... err, nothing. Unfortunately, Ardo and Forgrimm caught me.
Haha, now I understand! Caught by your own tricks, Cano! And all because of a woman!
I... I was careless for just a moment. To my horror, I realized that Mora had already...
Hah. Outdone by a woman. Even at the lowly profession of burglar...
Silence, rogue! Must I remind you of your oath!
What oath? What are you talking about?
I can't talk about it. We swore an oath of silence.
Exactly! And only Ardo can release us from it! Ardo!! By Angrosh, we must get him quickly to a healer!
Yes, we should get him on board and think about where to look for help.
Ardo is carried on board and made as comfortable as he can be atop a cabin (why not in the cabin, I don't know).
Yes, make him comfortable. I fear there's little else we can do for him at the moment.
What are we waiting for? Raise the sails! Oh Ardo, shame on my beard! Why did I leave you alone!
Where should we go, Forgrimm? That blade must have had an evil poison. I've never seen anything like it. I don't know if a normal healer can help us.
Back to Brookbeard and his attractive apprentice I say!
I've heard of that Nadoret magician... although even if he offered to help, I don't know whether we should accept it. No, believe me. It's not a good idea.
It sounds like we can spare ourselves the journey to Nadoret... by Efferd's Trident! We must find help somewhere! Can't you think of anything else?
Well, I really don't want to go to the Elves. And we don't know where they are. So what about the dwarf hippy?
What about Brother Emmeran? He seems to know about all kinds of mysteries. At least some of his predictions seem to have come true.
That's a possibility. I don't think he's the fool so many people believe him to be. But I wouldn't like to guess what he's really up to.
Yes, the Voice of the Riverfather! Erm, I know the deonts of the city don't think much of him, but his advice never did me any harm. Or maybe you have some other ideas?
Brother Emmeran seems to be the best place to start looking for a cure for Ardo. What do you think?
Let's be on our way. To Brother Emmeran's island!
We carefully consider our next steps. Ardo's life doesn't seem to be in immediate danger, he just won't wake up. Let's equip ourselves in Nadoret first.
Equip ourselves? You want to go shopping and plan your next dishonest deeds while Ardo lies here close to death! To Emmeran's island, I say!
This is pointless! Somebody must lead our group until Master Ardo has been healed. Would you do it? After all, you did make it through the Tollgate with these two squabblers.
About time you clowns recognized the natural leadership skills of Sayyid ibn Nasreddin.
I am deeply indebted to Ardo. For his sake, I am willing to lead the group.
Well alright, I think I can live with that. For now, at least. And don't worry: I'll be there to help you with my advice when you need to make the right decisions.
Fine, I don't mind. At least you've shown that you can be relied upon. Just let me know when you've had enough of that Scallywag, haha!
Then we are agreed. Men: this expedition now has a new leader.
Yes, Captain!
Kangrosha! Then let's set sail, with Angrosh's blessing! We must help Ardo!
Yes, the wisdom and blessing of Phex be with you. You are taking on a heavy responsibility.
I know Ardo is a good man, just as Jaakon was. Therefore, I feel I must continue to help you and him. And then Coldstone will pay for his deeds...
Glad you're still with us toots.
Hm, I think I've worked out that you're no ordinary merchants. Don't worry, I'll keep quiet if that's what you want. Let me know when you have orders.
Just figured that out now, huh?
She was waiting on the dock for news. Must've been desperate.
No need to keep her in the agony of ignorance.
That ... that's Felian's ring! Where did you find it? What happened to Felian?
The Commandant murdered him. I'm sorry.
Felian ... dead! Oh Travia, why! Here, take this as a sign of my gratitude for returning his ring. I was saving for my wedding dress. But I don't need it any more. [Reward received]
Excellent. Now, prepare to join my hareem.
If... if I could just get to Ferdok and tell people what happened here... That's the only thing I can do for Felian now.
Ferdok!?
By Efferd's Beard, I wish I could take you there. But our leader urgently needs help and Ferdok is too far upriver.
Excuse me, honorable gentlefolk! I am Sarastro Castellani, a merchant from the south. I see your predicament and it touches my heart. I can take the young lady safely to Ferdok.
Sarastro Castellani? A Fountlander. Why would we trust some random Fountlandish asshole with this girl's life?
When you get there, don't go to the guard. Ask for a man named Gerlin instead. He will be able to help you. Tell him Fayris sent you.
What? Why are we trusting this guy?
Clever advice! We don't know how far Coldstone's intrigues reach.
What does she have to do with Coldstone?
Coldstone? I don't know who that is, but I'll take your advice. Thank you. And you too, good merchant. May Travia bless you.
Let's be on our way immediately. Please follow me, young lady.
My pedantic nature means I like sorting all my ingredients in the available chests on the ship.
Next up on the list of missing people, the innkeeper's husband.
Hey, you! Were you just in the fortress? What's going on up there? I heard a lot of shouting! I hope you didn't annoy the Commandant. He can be quite unpleasant...
Don't worry, Commandant Bloomfold has been... removed. I'm sure there'll soon be a new commandant bringing some law and order to the place.
Well, let's hope so! Until then, I'm not setting another foot in that fortress! And all this business down at the docks! There are three dead bodies in my inn! No, no, no...
I found this wooden leg...
By Travia's Hearth! It's Gero's leg! Wh... where did you get it?
In the... in the fortress! He was murdered.
Murdered! Oh, my poor, silly Gero! I'm sorry I thought ill of you... I told him to take care around that Tashman... Erm... could you give me that leg? To remember him by, I mean?
"To remember him by"? Yeah right...
[Human Nature] A souvenir? Is that really the only reason you want it?
Alright, by Travia, you're right. I can use it to open Gero's chest. I tell you what, give me the leg and I'll let you take one thing from Gero's chest. And apart from that - if you want to trade, I'll give you a good price.
Agreed. Here, take the leg. [Give object]
Thank you. Let's see what's in there... There's a bag full of coins a battered old map and a rusty key. Choose something!
I'll take the rusty key. [Take object]
The key? Fine. I doubt you'll find a use for that. Travia alone knows where Gero's been in his time.
You can buy the map off her too but I don't need it
See?
Nice. Before we go anywhere else, let's troll the wife.
Your husband had a hidden treasure! And I found it!
Travia save me! I spent years here working my fingers to the bone, and my good-for-nothing husband had treasure hidden away! If he weren't already dead, I'd wring his neck!