part 5

wow. another part to the series.... mmkay.. yea... i'll stop now...

The people around them began to move forward, forming a smaller circle around them.
"What do we do now?"
Zorlu drew his sword and Bertam followed. "Do you think we can beat them?" Bertam asked.
"Sure, why not?"
At first they thought that all of the Gordonians were going to charge all at once but only six came forward. Zorlu went through them without breaking a sweat.
"I see that you are pretty strong," the leader of the pack said. This time ten people charged at them. Zorlu brought down five and Bertam got the rest. This continued on until only ten men and the leader remained. The leader looked at them in amazement. "I guess I'll have to take care of things myself." he advanced with the ten men.
It was a short battle, Zorlu defeated the ten men first and then started for the leader.
"You can't beat me! I'm invincible!" the leader cried out. He drew his sword and started to run at Zorlu. Zorlu dodged the attack easily. He used his fist and knocked the leader out.
"Alright, we're done here." Bertam said as he tied the leader up. "What do we do now? raid the hideout? You know, we do need cash." Bertam looked up to see Zorlu already headed for the building.
"Hey! wait for me!" Bertam said as he scrambled up the hill to catch up with Zorlu.
The hideout building wasn't as massive and extreme as it seemed far away. It only had a couple of chairs and tables. It was a mess, there were beer bottles everywhere and garbage was thrown into corners and dirt stained the walls.
"Damn, this place smells!" Bertam pinched his nose to block out the nauseating smells of rotting food.
“Oh shut up.”
“What?”
Zorlu continued on until they reached a locked door.
“What’s behind that door?” Bertam asked.
Zorlu kicked the door down and it fell with a heavy thunk, dust swirling in all directions. It was dark, dank, and musky, but there was a large chest inside. Bertam tried to open the chest but it wouldn’t budge. He tried to pry it open with his dagger and the lid came off. Inside there were rubies and diamonds and golden coins.
“Whoo hoo! We’re rich!” Bertam cried with glee.
“Wait.”
“Huh?”
“This money belongs to the people of the town.”
“Why do you have to be so righteous?”
“Because it’s wrong to take things that don’t belong to you.”
Bertam made a sound of frustration and closed the lid. “Whatever.”
Zorlu picked the chest up effortlessly and walked out of the room.
“Shouldn’t we check out the other rooms?” Bertam asked as he followed sluggishly.
“You can do that and take anything that is useful. Any money found should go to the townspeople.”
“yea yea whatever.” Bertam said as he entered one of the rooms.
Zorlu went back to the town and laid the best in the middle of the town-square. The townspeople proceeded cautiously towards Zorlu but he did not make any sudden movements. The mayor of the town stepped forward.
“Who are you?”
“I am no one of importance. I just came to return all your riches.”
The townspeople began to murmur amongst themselves, speculating if Zorlu was a good or bad person.
“We are most grateful. But why have you done this?”
Zorlu did not answer but left them with the chest and began heading back to the leader’s hideout. As he was walking up the hill, he saw Bertam carrying a huge sack.
“What the hell did you find?”
“Um… this and that.”
“What exactly is “this and that”?”
“Just stuff, y’know, laying around the floor.”
Zorlu rolled his eyes. “I’m not helping you carry any of that.”
“Fine. But at least we have some money.”
“I suppose now you would suggest to buy some better equipment.”
“Well, actually, I was going to suggest to eat, but getting new weapons isn’t such a bad idea.”
“Me and my big mouth,” Zorlu muttered.
They ate at the local diner but the Gordonians were still wary around them. Some of them thanked them for getting rid of the horrible leader, others stayed clear of them. The owner of the diner showed his appreciation by giving them a full course meal.
“This is good!” Bertam said with his mouth full.
“Don’t you have any manners? Close your mouth!”
“So?” Bertam said as he shoveled more food into his mouth.
After they ate, Bertam ran to the weapon shop with delight. “Pick out a weapon, Zorlu.”
“Nah. I think I’ll stick with my old one.”
“Why?”
“Someone gave it to me. It doesn’t matter if it’s good or not.”
“Uh, I see. At least get something.”
“I’ll go get a sack of supplies to bring along.”
“Sheesh, okay…”
They both purchased their items and headed towards Valviski.
“How long will it take to get there?” Zorlu asked.
“Well, we have to walk back all the way to Babusk and there will be a bridge leading there. Maybe around three to four days.”
“I bought enough supplies to last us a week unless you eat more than your share.”
“What…” Bertam said looking innocent. “Oh yea, whatever happened to that stone?”
Zorlu rummage through his pouch and found the stones. He took out the one with the Gordonia symbol but it showed no light. “I guess he’s not here…”
“Hah. You didn’t even remember until now… but this is harder than I thought. So this means that they were born in this town, not necessarily mean that they are in the town presently…”
“Just great…”