44 The return

As they walked, Finn was silent. That battle had been different from his previous fights. This was the first fight where Finn had attacked someone. He had mixed feelings about being responsible for the death of the two they had attacked.

"We had to do it, so stop feeling guilty." Jess seemed to know what he was thinking. "It was either we put a stop to them, or other innocent miners get killed and turned into zombies. So in a way, we saved the lives of those miners."

"Thanks Jess", said Finn as he sighed, "I just didn't expect I'd be so quick to adapt to the violence. Not long ago, I hadn't even held a proper weapon, and now I'm starting to enjoy the thrill of the fight."

"Hmm, that's not too unusual. Many of the soldiers back home have a hard time readjusting to a peaceful life. They miss the adrenaline that comes with putting their life on the line in battle. Some of them end up setting off on their own adventures, while others join a guild like us."

The limping halfling was silent the whole way back. At one point he collapsed, and seemed to be in really bad shape. Worried that their only source of information would die on them, Jess fed him half a health potion. Soon some color returned to his pale cheeks and they could continue.

Finally back at the mining camp in the cavern, Finn and Jess could let down their guard a little. They led their captive to the inn where they had booked a room.

They requested the innkeeper send a report to Malmdal before heading to their room.

The room was basically a cave hewn out of the rock. There were two beds of cut stone, each one covered with layers of heavy quilts to make it softer. There were a couple chests with sturdy locks, a table, and a few stools.

They sat the halfling down on a stool, and checked his leg wound. They had taken the bolt out when he fell on the way back or he might have lost too much blood.

"So, now that we are in a safe location, it's time for some answers." Finn said and looked at the halfling.

"I'll talk, don't worry. I've got nothing to gain by hiding anything anyway." The halfling seemed broken by his recent experiences, and hoped cooperating would save him from more pain.

"Go on then, tell us what you know about the necromancer and how you came to work for them."

The halfling then proceeded to give them every detail he knew. Which was still less than the two had hoped to find out. When he finished the two went over what they had just learned again.

The halfling and his two partners were working as bouncers and hired muscle for some shady businesses up on the surface before being given a job offer. The job was supposed to be easy money, just keeping unwanted guests away from a wizard's experiments.

What they soon found out was that there were several wizards, and a growing amount of undead. It was too late to back out by then and why should they anyway? It wasn't the first illegal business they had guarded, and this one paid well.

Although they never were allowed into the main laboratory, and never met the necromancer personally, they had guarded several of the entrances and had figured out the general location.

When Finn asked if he had joined in on the attacks on the miners, he explained that the three had only helped move the dead bodies halfway back to the lab. The bodies where then put on a cart and pulled by zombies the rest of the way.

'Knock, knock, knock!'

Someone was outside the heavy wooden door to the room. When Finn opened it he saw a dwarf with a grey wiry beard and a grumpy look on his face. It was Malmdal.

"Malmdal? You can just at the right time." Jess said as she got up and welcomed him in. Pulling out the remaining stool, she offered him a seat.

Finn closed the door after the dwarf entered and sat on his bed.

"As we mentioned in the message that we asked the innkeeper to give you, we have found out who is behind the recent attacks."

"Yes, do tell me. It is, after all, what I am paying you to do." Malmdal said in his gruff voice. He looked at the halfling questioningly before he continued, "if you are going to tell me that this little shrimp is behind it all though, I'm not going to believe it."

"Allow me to explain," Jess started, and Malmdal nodded and indicated for her to continue.

"Today a group was attacked and lost two men. We visited the scene and managed to follow a trail of blood stains down through some side tunnels. Eventually we stumbled upon a zombie dressed like a miner and later we were attacked by four more of the abominations."

At this point Malmdal creased his brows, this was disturbing news indeed. The presence of the undead in his mines indicated that this wasn't just some sabotage instigated by his competitors. It's connotations were much worse!

"It is indeed as you fear, a necromancer has built their lair in the tunnels. Miners are being killed and turned into mindless rotting minions for his undead army."

'What's the halfling got to do with all of that?'

Finn answered this question, "the halfling and his two, now deceased partners, were hired by the necromancer to guard some of the entrances to their lair. We attacked them and captured him for questioning. More importantly, we now have an idea where the necromancer is staying."

"Good, good. You two have definitely accomplished what I requested of your guild. I owe you your payment." Malmdal nodded to himself as he took out his coin purse.

"Here you go, 15 silver each. Your task is technical complete, I can request the Tunnel Guard to send an elite squad to deal with the necromancer." Malmdal paused for a little as he thought things through.

"I fear things won't be solved so easily though." He said and looked at the halfling. "The necromancer will probably find out about the missing guards and zombies today. The dwarves of the Tunnel Guard, although fierce warriors, will probably arrive too late."

"What do you mean?" Finn asked.

"He means the necromancer will probably just relocate their lair before the dwarves get here." Jess explained, seeming to have expected it, "I assume you would like us to finish what we started then?"

Malmdal wore an embarrassed look as he nodded. "I would appreciate the help a lot. None of us would be able to work or rest well knowing there is an angry necromancer down in the tunnels."

Jess looked at Finn to see how he felt about it. Seeing him nod, she agreed, "we can do it, but it will cost you a little extra. Necromancers are dangerous."

"Good, how much will it be then? I have more silver, or is there something else you would prefer?"

"Silver is fine for me," Jess said, "how about fifteen again?"

Malmdal nodded, "that's a better deal for me than for you, thank you, what about you Finn?"

"I have a questions first. You see, a friend of mine was recently arrested and sent to work in the mines. I'd like to make sure he is ok. Would you be able to help with that?"

Malmdal nodded again, "my brother oversees the mine where the convicts work. I can ask him. What's your friend's name?"

"Mortimer, he's getting old so the heavy labor might be hard on his body. He got mixed up in the business of some influential group and was framed." Finn sighed as he explained the situation. "Unless I can clear his name, he'll probably be stuck there for the rest of his life."

Malmdal frowned and muttered grumpily, "surface politics, always schemes and pulling strings."

"If he is treated well and taken care of, that's all the reward I'll need." Finn said.

"Really?" Malmdal's face lit up at the potential of saving fifteen silver, providing preferential treatment to a convict was easy to arrange. "Well then, I'll make sure this Mortimer is moved to the VIP area as soon as you return."

"VIP area?" Finn asked, "What's that?"

"We get a number of wealthy or influential individuals requesting better treatment for their brothers, nephews, or friends each year. We keep these Very Important Prisoners separate from the others. They get the fresher food, their own room, and much easier jobs."

"Wow that would be perfect!" Finn said excitedly. This would be the best way to help Mortimer, proving his innocence might just make him a target for assassination.

Malmdal smiled. Establishing the VIP area had been a very lucrative business, and the whole family had benefited from it.

"Alright then, I'll write up a contract tonight, and will send it to your guild once we have all signed it. Get some rest and meet me at the bar for breakfast." Malmdal stood up and shook their hands.

"What about that guy, do you still need him?" Malmdal asked, pointing to the halfling.

"We've got all the information we need, so if can take him off our hands that would be great." Finn said.

The halfling looked worried, dwarves were known to be rough.

"Come with me then, since you've been helpful I'll spare you." Malmdal grabbed the halfling by his arm and lead him away. "You'll be going to work in my brother's mine. He needs a few more lookouts for the convict mining teams. Don't worry, as long as you work earnestly you won't be treated poorly."

When they left, Finn flopped down on his bed. "I'm exhausted! And these beds are not as soft as I had hoped," He complained as he rubbed his sore head. After thinking a little he continued, "How am I supposed to know when it's breakfast if I can't see the sun?"

Jess was cleaning her sword and oiling it to prevent rust, she paused to point at the wall. "Gnome time tellers, if you'd paid attention you might have seen that they are common down here. Also, don't just hop into bed like that, you'll ruin the quilts."

"Oh," Finn said as he got up and took the device off the wall to examine it. It was different than the magic based ones he had seen previously. Those were simple and neat, the opposite of anything made by gnomes.

The time teller had a round flat face and a hand that indicated the time, that was the only similarity it had with the magic ones. Finn noticed that behind the face was a complex collection of small gears that turned at a fixed rhythm. Powering it all was a tiny magic stone inserted into a slot on the back.

"What did you think of today's fights?" Jess asked as Finn put the device back in its place.

"Well, the zombies were easier to deal with than I expected," said Finn as he laid out his weapons on the ground for inspection. "Once you told me where to aim, that is." Finn added replaying the fights in his mind.

"Yeah, I also think it went well today. Tomorrow's fight will probably be harder though, we know there are two magicians and a necromancer.'" Jess yawned as she said. "That means three people that can cast spells. Have you fought against magic before?"

"Err no, I was hoping you could give me some suggestions." Finn admitted, a bit embarrassed. "I'm guessing it would be best if I managed to shoot them before they finish casting their spell."

"Yeah, that would work. A magician without his spells can't do much." Jess agreed. "If you miss, well I guess just try to dodge whatever they throw at you."

As the two finished the maintenance of their equipment, Jess wrinkled her nose. "When was the last time you bathed? Why don't you go find out if they have them at the inn, you'll feel refreshed."