I reincarnated in game

16 Hired Help

The morning of Kenneth’s disappearance, Matthew headed back to Halea with great speed.  He needed to get help quickly.  If Kenneth had not become a victim of the void, he would still be vulnerable if he was on his own; his son was far too trusting.”

Matthew was exhausted and weary, both from searching through the night for his son and the effort expended on his return to the village.  The worry and concern he felt were visible on his face; he looked as though he aged years.  His physical exertion gave him a flushed appearance which could have been mistaken for the way someone would look when they drink too much.

In spite of his physical state, Matthew forged on.  His first thought was to report that his son was missing to the town’s guards.  He hoped he would be able to enlist help to search the area where Kenneth had disappeared. 

When he finally reached Halea, the locals directed Matthew to the constabulary’s office in the middle of the village.  He rushed up to the person who appeared to be in charge.  Breathing heavily from his exertion, he tried to explain that his son was missing and he needed help to find him. 

The guard in charge looked at Matthew, trying to assess whether he was a man in distress or someone who was deep into his cups; he decided that it was the former, and then said, “Slow down.  What are you trying to say?”

Matthew drew in a deep breath, and then, speaking more slowly, explained, “My son and I were down at the abyss.  He got up in the middle of the night and wandered off.  I need your assistance to search the area; it is too much for me to do on my own.”

The guard snorted derisively, saying, “Sorry, we are stretched too thin to give you any men to help you in your search … You all shouldn’t have been down there in the first place.  Nothing good ever happens down there!”  When he saw Matthew’s crestfallen look, he relented and said, “I will take your report down here in our duty log and let the other guards know to keep an eye out.  If you want, I can direct you to some Wanderers for hire.  They can be found in the rougher area of town, at a place called The Beaumont Inn.  The leader’s name is Bob; he will help you, but it will cost you.” 

Matthew thanked the man profusely, saying that he would check-in at the office daily.  Then, although he realized that he was probably grasping at straws, he left immediately to find Bob.  He heard the guard called after him to wish him to luck in dealing with Bob, and in finding his son. 

Bob was a tall, ruggedly handsome fellow who had been a knight in the city of Sdel on Third Level Land.  He had a reputation for being very brash and conceited; he also had a strong desire to get rich.  It was this latter vice which led to his downfall when the senior Knights discovered he was stealing from the royal family of Sdel.  Bob had been expelled to the fourth level for his disorderly conduct.

On his arrival to the depraved lands, Bob spent a lot of time in the local taverns, boasting about his exploits and all the money he had earned.  Because of his size, and smooth tongue, he quickly developed a following among the male and female patrons; the ladies were impressed by his physical appearance; the men were impressed with his escapades and how easily he could charm the women.  Bob’s reputation spread, and before too long, he had a group of local wanderers join up with him to form a mercenary band that was willing to do anything for money. 

A man was sitting under a tree, eating an apple with his knife when Matthew approached the inn.  “Excuse me, would you happen to know how I can find a man named Bob,” Matthew inquired.

“Who’s looking for him?” the seated man asked, as he wiped the apple juice from his chin on his sleeve. 

“I am.  My name is Matthew.”

“Well that’s good for you, but why are you looking for Bob?  You certainly don’t look like you belong on this side of town,” the man replied, as he began sizing up the newcomer.  It was important to be cautious; suspicion was the norm for the locals in this area.  It was clear the newcomer was a Dwarf who was likely visiting from Stuhr on third level land because he was too well dressed to be from the fourth level; he looked like he probably had some coin on him. 

“I have a proposal for him and his men, but time is of the essence,” replied Matthew.  

“OK … You found me,” replied Bob.  He decided it was highly unlikely that his dishonorable dismissal would have been common knowledge in the third level countries outside of Sdel, so the Dwarf would not know him by his reputation.  Then pointing to Matthew with his knife, asked “What are you proposing?”

“I need you to help me find my son, Kenneth.  He wandered off and got lost somewhere between here and the abyss.  I am willing to reward you handsomely, a hundred gold pieces, as soon as he is returned to me,” explained Matthew.

Bob could hear the anxiety in the older man’s voice and figured that he could likely pressure this distressed father into giving up a whole lot more coin if he played his cards right.

“That’s a pretty dangerous area.  It also has a bad reputation for its evil magic; my men will have to be persuaded that it will be worth their while to put their lives in harm’s way,” replied Bob.  “We will help you, but the price will be two hundred gold pieces.”

Desperate to get the search underway, Matthew agreed to the higher price.  “OK, I agree, but only if you leave first thing in the morning.”   He then told Bob that he was staying in town at the Crystal Inn so that he would know where to bring Kenneth when he was found.  He also asked Bob to keep him regularly informed of his progress. 

“Please find my boy,” implored Matthew.