Closing in, maybe

The girls and Marc came back late last night. There was a time if a friend of mine came home with two beautiful girls it was time for some high-fives. These days I just feel relief that everyone came home without getting hurt.

We decided to share a room together so we wouldn't be separated. Strange think to think, since we decided to split up after we got a room. Saul and I were about to go straight to panic mode when they finally knocked on the door. Saul checked, his sword drawn.

"Expecting someone else?" Marc said.

Saul waved them in. He checked the hall and then closed the door. "How'd it go."

"Not so well at first," Anna said, "but we had some luck just a little bit ago."

"Only cost us a half dozen drinks," Audry said. "And all we got was a name."

"A person?" I asked.

"A place," Anna said. "It's called--"

"The Broken Rudder Inn," Saul said.

"Well, I guess that settles it," Marc said. "If two different sources have the same information, there must be something legitimate about it."

"Yeah, who was your contact?" I asked.

"There was this unsavory fellow following us," Audry said. "At some point he caught up with us and claimed to be from Safeton."

"Said he saw us at the party," Anna said. "He knew we were asking questions and so he asked for our help. He said he had some information on where the slaves were taken. He had it written down on a scrap of paper, but he couldn't read it. He wanted us to read it for him. He didn't trust anyone else to."

"He claimed that everyone in town is in the pocket of these slavelords," Marc said. "That seems unlikely. More likely they simply are not bothered by slavers and they would turn over any information for the right price."

"Including the two who gave us this information," Saul said. "They probably went to the slavelords already and told them we were asking about them."

"Along with everyone else we've asked," Anna said. "Well, I guess wandering around town asking everyone what's up isn't exactly the best plan we came up with."

"Hey, how can a whole town be against us?" I said.

"Such as Nulb, for example," Audry said.

"You came in through the back door?" Saul asked.

Marc nodded. "Of course. No one saw our entrance, either from outside or within. Still, I believe we should keep watch tonight just in case."

"Probably a good idea," Saul said. "Well, looks like we're going to have a busy day tomorrow."

"Not to mention a busy week, a busy month...." Anna sighed. "Ah, for the good ol' days back in Greyhawk."

"Never thought I'd think of those days as safer," Saul said.

"Uh, pop quiz," I said. "If we suspect everyone of working for the slavelords, how are we going to get to this inn without anyone knowing?"

"And what shall we do when we get there?" Audry added.

All good questions.

----------------------------

"Is that him?" I asked.

After a quick breakfast we headed out. On our way to the docks, Anna spotted him. He walked with a swagger, oblivious to everything around him. He even smiled, which in this town makes you stand out like a sore thumb. He stopped at one of the many stalls along the street, looking at a selection of daggers. He tried one, pretending to wield in against an imaginary opponent, and by his stance I could tell he'd be lucky not to stab himself in the hand.

"That's him," Anna said. "Look at his clothes. He wore dirty sailors clothes today."

"Now he wears brand new clothes," Audry said. "A man with a little extra money...I wonder where he got it?"

"And why?" I said. "Audry, I know you'll probably have a problem with a smash and grab, but--"

"I think I can make an exception this time," Audry said. "I find him revolting. He kept staring at my breasts."

"Can't understand why," Saul said. "Anna, if you can create a diversion please, John and I will go to work. Audry, Marc, keep an eye out."

"May I suggest that alley there," Marc said.

-------------------

"Yoo hoo!"

The smartly dressed sailor looked down the alley. Anna stood there, her shirt unbuttoned halfway as she waved. The sailor idiotically pointed at himself, the look on his face questioning Anna if indeed she was looking for him. She narrowed her eyes and stood sideways with one leg raised slightly. She smiled and gestured for him to approach. She was a pillar of beauty in an alley of pure trash.

If there's one thing Anna can do is manipulate guys. Women like that are either a blessing or dangerous, depending on whether they use their powers for good or evil. For Anna, she tended to use her powers for whatever suited her. Most normal guys can't resist her, and this guy was a world-class loser with missing teeth whose probably fell for this gag many times. He started down the alley toward Anna, ready to fall for it again.

"Now," Saul said. We moved up behind the sailor. He didn't even hear us coming. I wrapped the gag around him while Saul grabbed his arms. He struggled, but he was no match for both of us. He cried out, but the gag muffled his voice. Even so, we couldn't get him out of this alley without someone noticing. That's where Marc came in.

He mumbled the enchantment. The sailor went limp in my arms, snoring like a baby.

"Just like magic," I said.

-----------------------

Gotta run. We're hitting the Broken Rudder inn tonight.