They crept out of the dwarven artisan’s home, past the bodies of their sleeping comrades and out into the balmy night. They crept along the streets but after a while realized that no one cared or was looking for them. Their steps were bolder as they walked further through the town. They were still careful and wary though, since they didn’t know what to expect.
Before long they came across one building that was awash with light and sound. A merry song could be heard inside. They peeked through the window first to see what was going on. Inside was a bustling bar. Dwarves sat at various tables drinking from tall tankards of polished iron. They were singing about working the mines for the precious jewels they unearthed. Milo and Hepolita looked at each other with grins on their faces and walked into the place.
Instantly it fell silent. The dwarven crowd all stared from above their tankards. The barman looked surprised and a little alarmed. The two adventurers walked up to the bar amidst the silence and ordered a round for everyone. There was another moment of silence where no one knew where the situation would go. Then the room erupted in yells of glee for a free round of booze. Those that had been getting ready to leave sat back down again with rosy light rising from their cheeks.
For the next few hours the two got progressively more drunk until the bar shut down for the night and everyone began to wander off to their various hidey holes to pass out. Milo and Hepolita headed out, intending to head back to the current headquarters. As they exited the bar they turned down one of the many dark streets of Drakenforge. There was company waiting for them down one of these streets.
Soldiers ambushed and surrounded them. Hepolita was grabbed easily as she was a slight, thin elf. Milo proved more elusive than her, blending into the shadows and confusing the soldiers. He realized she couldn’t get away as easily as him so he returned to save her. After breaking their hold on her, he yelled at her to run. He led the soldiers away from her down a side street only to find himself face to face with another contingent of soldiers.
Hepolita ran on, down the street and headed straight towards the house they were sleeping in. When she got to the door, she was drenched in sweat and dust from their scuffle. She was also still a little drunk and the running had not helped. With a heave she threw up the contents of her stomach and stepped inside when she was empty.
She wasted no time in waking everyone up. Aleera, Kaladrax, and Kariss stared at her in disbelief and growing anger. They exploded at her all at once. Why would they leave? Why at night? How did they get caught? Who tried to capture them? There was also the overarching question. Where was Milo?
Hepolita answered that he had freed her and led them away. She hoped he had escaped but the fact that he hadn’t gotten here by now was worrying. The party spent the next hours until day time waiting to see if Milo showed up and preparing for if he didn’t. If he didn’t come back soon, they would have to go looking. Aleera was afraid that the city’s ruler had him now and would hold him hostage or kill him.
As for Milo. He had a large period of time where he was unconscious. After being encircled by all those soldiers they had beaten him from behind and forced him down until he passed out. After that he knew nothing until he had woken up in a sparse stone room. The last thing he remembered was Malthazaar coming towards him, out of the shadows. Then he was out again.
Without any sign of him that entire night. The rest of the party resolved to find him. They knew the time of confrontation with them and Malthazar was coming closer. Sooner or later they would have to find him and quite possibly kill him. They only hoped Milo was safe and alive as they planned their next course of action.
The Adventure Begins: Stories from the Wife of a Dungeon Master 