"Work Never Ends" MurderHobos Inc. || Alternis

Quiet filled the woods on this moonless night, a lone house standing upon a hill overlooking it all. At first glance the home seemed vulnerable, ripe for looting or razing. But no closer inspection could be made, for the scouts that roamed the woods allowed no harm to come to it's inhabitants. Not that the people inside weren't a force to be reckoned with as well. Entering the abode one would notice the simplicity of its layout. Against the back wall the hearth stood, a small fire burning away against the cool of the night. Off to the right as a small kitchen and pantry, predominately home to a keg of ale and many mugs. Atop the wood-fired stove a pot of stew stood half empty, implements of its making still lying upon the counters as if they had no care for order. A modest, heavy table lived between the hearth and kitchen, much worn but taken care of as well. Scattered upon the table were documents and maps, written in many tongues but with the smooth penmanship of a scholar. A larger map adorned the wall, edited and marked as much as its smaller counterparts. An old wanted poster hung by it, a remembrance of much simpler times. An empty weapon rack straddled the door, signs of much use adorning its frame. A few heavy chairs were set about the room, scuff marks showing they were moved often. Two doors lend to the inhabitants rooms, heavy inconspicuous things. The room on the left was cramped, two double bunks against opposing walls more akin to barracks than a home. Footlockers and armor racks were squeezed in too, the perfect complement for a weary scout or adventurer. The room of the master of this place was just as cramped, although there was only a single bed in here. Bookshelves lined one wall, filled with tomes old and new, scavenged from the many years of traveling it's owner had endured. An ancient set of armor almost filed a rack, the footlocker at the base of the bed open as well, scattered items mingling between it and the adventurers pack next to it. A dresser was on the other side, although it had been moved aside to reveal a trapdoor leading down, light barely coming up from below... The old hidden cellar had been expanded from it's old self, the room almost as large as the one above it. Stone lined the place, set it such a simple splendor that the dwarves took such pride in. Two ladders led into the cellar on opposing sides, a single door on one side leading to a secret exit outside the abode. A bookshelf containing many jars of pickled food stood ajar, revealing a small closet lined with items. Various weapons leaned against the wall, and a small locked chest buried against the back end of it. Many other cloth wrapped bundles filled it as well, the shapes of their contents hard to discern among the mass of items. A small work bench centered the room, two men talking over the mess of tools and items strewn across its top. “So how does this work again?” Asked Alternis, his normal hardened demeanor lightened in this private setting. “Just turn and flick you wrist like so” Wedge remarked back. “And bam!” From the bottom of the gauntlet he was holding a short barb slid out, locking in to place with deadly efficiency. “The next time one of those mooks think they disarmed you they'll be in for a nasty surprise.” He said with an evil grin. “Monks.” Alternis corrected. “And the ease at which they could disarm a man is astounding. Well a man such as me at least, you on the other hand aren't as easy prey.” He smirked back. “ I can't thank you enough for the work on these and the other things you've crafted for me over the years.” “Your gold was thanks enough.” Wedge spoke back.”On top of all ye've done for me since we met up it's been a pleasure. I've got to keep these hands busy anyways, a guild crafter is only as good as his hands and mind.” “And our enemies know how well you are at your craft.” Alternis grinned back. “If they only knew the terrors of the three woods was just you. Anything interesting to report from your last trip to the capitol?” “Aye, it seems the king has allowed a new type of hunter into our ranks. They outwardly seem a bit soft though, like a warlock with swords. The one I saw took out 3 kobalds before the forth laid him out. Damn fool was lucky he had some backup.” Alternis thought deeply about what Wedge described, taking a minute before remembering seeing such fighters in the East. “Odd Draxus would allow such fighters into our ranks. I thought they were more of Rhexus' fodder than anything else. Unless they have some hidden talents the last one I saw got obliterated by an orc. Messy bit.” He mused. “Messy maybe but effective in numbers I'd bet. I'll keeps our ears and eyes open for more about these hunters.” Wedge answered back. He yawned. “Well this is about all I have left in me for tonight. I'll be headed out in the morn to go back to the fort.” Alternis pushed a small sack of coin to Wedge. “For services rendered, past present and future.” Wedge nimbly grabbed the sack and stashed it away on his person. “Much obliged.” And with a precision honed by years of toil began to clean up the mess of tools and materials on the table. Following his lead Alternis began to help as well, putting tools away in a separate shelf. After he went to the ajar shelf and pushed it shut easily, activating the hidden locking mechanisms keeping it safe. After it there were finished the cellar appeared to be just that, simple, plain and barely used. “I have to hand it to your people, I'd never in a thousand span guess what was behind these walls.” Wedge bowed with a smirk. “Once you've seen more of the old homes you'd think this was just a beggar's shack.” After checking the entrance doors and traps were secure they killed the lamps and headed back up into the house proper, securing the cellar behind them. Dresser back in place, no signs of the door were anywhere to be seen. Alternis yawned, and place the gauntlets back on the rack in their place. “Time for me to turn in as well old friend. I'll send message to the fort the next time I need your aid. I may be out of this area for a span, heading where duty is sure to take me.” “You know the ways and signs of my people now, make sure you keep your head on straight. These parts have been too silent lately if you know what I mean. Something's coming, I can feel it in the stones.” Wedge spoke, holding back his own yawn. “That always seems to be the case in these parts, gentle calm before the raging storm. Hopefully we will weather this one as well as the last.” The two men went to their quarters and slept, but not soundly. They had learned too well over the years that only a heavy head easily became a dead head. ~fin