A Town of Trickers?

Liam, and the others woke up at dawn. Then ate a humble breakfast of bread, dried meat, and water.

They needed to replace the cover on the wagon. It was now full of holes from the crossbow fire, so they planned on stopping at the nearest village.

The closest village's name was Roughwood. It was located next to the woods, about three days ride from the border that led to Gelicasa.

They had taken off the cover for the wagon, making it look like the rib cage of a monster, mostly for the purpose of looking for another ambush.

They rode in silence, with the soft clipping-clap of the horses hooves as their only entertainment.

This went on for around five hours, until they finally arrived at Roughwood.

The town was smaller, and didn't have a large population. There were probably only thirty people on the street.

Liam looked around warily at the people, as they turned, smiled, and waived.

When their wagon stopped, and the party exited the wagon, a large older man that looked like the head of the village came over to them.

"Welcome, Welcome," He said, as he moved closer to shake their hands. Liam stepped forward, took his hand, and shook it.

The man smiled at him, my name is Herring, Mark Herring, I'm the head of this small village. Pardon the stares you might get, we don't have travelers stop through often. What can we do for you?"

Liam responded immediately, "We need a fresh cover for our wagon. We were attacked by bandits on our way here, and they put a few holes in our previous one."

"Of course, my friend, but the local tailor will need a day, or two to make you one. Meanwhile there are some rooms at the tavern that are unoccupied, why don't you stay here for the night? The tailor might have the cover, for your wagon done by then."

"Of course," Liam said

"Excellent, I will take you to the tavern, follow me please." Mark said.

"You can leave your wagon, and horses here, I'll have someone take your horses to the stable, and have some of my men guard the wagon."

Mark gestured, and a few men came over. One of them started to unlatch the horses from the wagon, and the others, when we was done, placed themselves around it.

After this Mark led them through the streets, to a medium sized building, that was about two stories tall.

When they entered, Mark gestured to them, and said to the Bartender.

"These are our special guests, take care of them, and show them their rooms please."

"Of course," the Bartender said and he moved from behind the counter.

"Follow me please." He said.

Mark waved goodbye, "I'll see you later."

Dante leaned over to Liam, and whispered "Are you getting red flags too?" He asked.

Liam nodded, and whispered back, "What do you think? We get here, don't know anyone, and now we're being treated like royalty. YES, I'm getting red flags, one things for sure, I'm staying awake tonight."

"Yep" Dante agreed.

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The Bartender took them upstairs to their rooms. They found that the rooms were in a neat line, all on one side of the hallway.

He gave the rooms to them in order, Dante's, Luke's, David's, Thomas's, then Liam's. Dante's was closest to the steps, with Liam's at the end.

After telling them who's room was who's the Bartender went downstairs, and they all entered their separate rooms.

Liam's was a good size, with a larger than average cot. He didn't get on the cot, instead he stayed standing, and started pacing.

The room had a dresser in it, and on the dresser was a bowl of dried apricots, Liam paused in his pacing, and looked at the bowl. The apricots looked good, and he hadn't eaten since breakfast. He reached over, and took one.

He was about to put it in his mouth, when he heard a loud knock on the door, so he set the apricot back down in the bowl, and went to get the door.

It was Dante, who, when he opened the door, walked past him into the room, and asked.

"Did you eat any of the apricots?

"No," Liam said, but I was about to, why?

"They might be poisoned." Dante stated, as he made his way to the apricots on the dresser.

He lifted the bowl up, and sniffed it, quickly recoiling.

"Did you notice that they smell sickly sweet?" Dante asked. "It's the smell of a poison called Angel's Bane, it tastes, and smells sweet, but even a small bite would have killed you."

Liam looked at him with surprise, "Did they put poison apricots in your room too?"

"No," Dante said "But I thought they might put it in yours, or the others. I figured they wouldn't put any in my room, in all likelihood they know what each of us specialize in. Instead, I got a cot with spikes that pop out when you sit on it."

Luke's face became distorted with rage.

"They're not getting away with this,"

Calm down, Liam, I'm going to check on the others, Dante said "And, don't kill anyone while I'm gone."

Then he slipped out the door, and headed off to Luke's room, leaving Liam with his thoughts.

Liam decided to take a walk instead, and clear his head from anger. So he exited his room, and left the tavern.

He traversed the streets with a grim look in his eye, as he followed the main path through the town.

Soon he reached a more rundown part of the town.

That's when he saw the child, a small thing, backed up against a wall with three older boys pummeling him.

Immediately Liam went over, said, "What's this all about?"

The oldest of the boys turned to him, and said, "He's a loser, we've got every right to, so mind your own business you outsider."

Liam's face grew angry, and he pulled his war axe from his side, before he put it to the child's throat.

"If you ever call me that again, or pick on this kid again, I'll gut you."

He said with hatred in his eyes.

The child, and his friends turned, with fear in their eyes, and ran.

Then Liam went to the young man, and tossed a silver coin at him.

"Take that to your parents kid." He said gruffly, turned around, and walked away, leaving the child staring in wonder at him.

He continued his walk until he reached the end of the village. He then turned around, and headed back to the tavern.

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When he arrived, he went to his room, and sat on the floor. Moments later Dante burst in, and said,

"Liam I was too late, Luke's been stabbed!"