When all of them returned to the Heady Ale later that day, no news was good news. The mark on the cloth was that of the Slaver's Guild which probably meant that they were working together with the Assassin's Guild to prevent Alberoth from becoming the abbot of Wulfhilde Abbey. Slink found someone useful as an informant in the poorest quarter of Durthang. Slink's informant said that it was too dangerous for him to supply Slink with information. Slink guessed it was the sign of the Assassin's Guild because the first thing the man did once he saw it was demand to see Slink's arm. While Slink was leaving the informant's place he saw three men stalking him. Slink dashed into an alley and climbed up a building and began stalking them, observing everything from above. After about two hours Slink saw them meet with several men from the Gladiator's Guild. That meant that multiple guilds within the city were conspiring towards the same objective: prevent Alberoth from becoming the abbot of Wulfhilde Abbey.
And even worse news cam from Krog and Torgon. They had wanted to make friends with the Mercenary Guild's Black Buckler Company, one of five different mercenary companies in Durthang (Besides Broad Axe, Spear Point, among others) who were responsible for supplying conscripts for the military on occasion as well as volunteers for the gladiator pit. They entered the Black Buckler practice yard filled with over fifty men performing exercises, sparring, and training. Once inside, a powerfully built man that looked like the lead trainer held up a bag of gold and said, "500 gold pieces to the man who captures both." At that Krog and Torgon had charged straight out of the practice yard. Several javelins flew towards them and one sank into Torgon's back. Over fifteen Black Buckler Mercenaries filed out of the yard and ran after Krog and Torgon. Once in the street, Krog and Torgon encountered members of the Broad Axe mercenary company. Five men from the Broad Axe helped dispatch those of the Black Buckler band who dared take the combat into the street. After many were killed in open melee in the streets of the Mercenary Quarter, the remaining combatants retreated back to their respective compounds once they heard the horn calls and the noise of the city guard approaching on horseback. The remaining three of what was once five men from Broad Axe led Krog and Torgon into a covered wagon and took them to the Heady Ale.
The rest of the day the Hawthorn Company decided to lay low in the inn until evening. Sandie had heard that a bard called Alellia from Dorthonlea would be performing in the Green Griffon and wanted to see her. The party arrived just as her band was finishing tuning their instruments and were practicing a song. Krog and Torgon became fascinated with her beautiful appearance of coal black hair, soft white skin, and regal comportment while Slink, Galdor, and Sandie simply listened intently to her songs which were mostly madrigals and other ballads from Dorthonlea. Later the party had dinner and once they had finished Alellia stepped forward and announced to everyone in the Green Griffon common room, "I have heard about the stunning performance that was given by Sandie Riverbottom at the Heady Ale, which is why I now give call a challenge to her." Excited, Sandie stood up and with that they began the bardic duel. Sandie started with a fast ditty that rhymed flawlessly about a lake. Impressed, Alellia motioned for Sandie to contine. Cheering the crowd marked a point for Sandie. This time Sandie began a silly little tale but stuttered a little with the rhymes. Ilellia finished it only with slight trouble building off of what Sandie began. Now the crowd was very excited and listened intently for the tie breaker. Sandie off the top of her head began a humorous song of a chain of calamities that led to total DISASTER in the end and the whole tavern shook with laughter. Now at this Alellia motioned for the judges to add a point to Sandie and the crowd went wild as Sandie was declared the winner. Then Alellia said,"A round of drinks for everyone, put it on my tab!" The crowd cheered even louder.
The excitement took about an hour to die down and at one point Slink saw Sandie disappear with Alellia into a private room at the inn only to return a few minutes later. When Slink asked her what she wanted Sandie said, "The head of the Gladiator's Guild would like to speak with us tomorrow," and left it at that. It had now become clear that Allelia was more than a bard but also a messenger for the Gladiator's Guild if not also a spy.
Day 3
At around five in the morning when all the party woke up, they had an early breakfast and met in a rented meeting room at the inn. The subject was what should the party do with their invitation from the Gladiator's Guild. Slink was very uneasy since he saw assassins meet with members of the Gladiator's Guild. Galdor simply listened to the discussion. Krog was for it if the Hawthorn Company came armed. And Torgon along with Sandie were slightly neutral. The outcome of the meeting was that the party would go to the Gladiator's Guild fully armed whatever the cost. The party left the inn around eight and because of the crowded streets of Durthang they made their way to the Aristocratic Quartiere and the house of the Gladiator Guildmaster at nine. Inside the large, stone house of the Guildmaster, a servant acknowledged them in the foyer and went to get the "Master." As soon as the man disappeared a cage suddenly slammed down, suspended from a rope, trapping them inside when it clanged against the flagstone floor. And with that a figure slowly descended the staircase surrounded by guards with spears saying,"Oh isn't this embarrassing. The whole Hawthorne Company trapped here. I doubt that any of you happen to have 500 gold pieces on you?" No response. "Oh, very well then. I will hold you ransom until you provide me with your bounty. Which of course is impossible so I will cut you a deal. In six days from now there will be a gladiator bout. The prize for winning is your life along with 500 gold pieces, the price of your bounty. And I will give you a fine cut of information if you survive the bout and purchase your bounty with your winnings. Don't bother to accuse me of anything. It simply won't work because most mercenaries attempt to garner fame and notoriety from potential clients by winning gladiator bouts. The prizefighting is good publicity. So are you with me?"
