Erlwitz

The wench was back shortly with the requested dishes and refreshments. Angelo drank some ale to sate his dry throat before cutting into his pork and taking a bite. It was dry and lacked succulency, but it was better than the roadside rations he had been munching on.

Angelo typically traveled, and worked, alone. It was quicker that way, and there was less to worry about when on the hunt. His previous partners 'accidentally' becoming bait was testament to that. But Minerva was different. She could handle herself, and her talents were especially helpful, so he didn't mind her company.

"What's next for you, Minerva?" he'd ask her. "Because I was thinking... I know we were only passing through for some rest, but if the innkeep has no work for us, the Baron of Erlwitz very well might. Provided he does..." Angelo was implying he'd be happy to have her along for another contract, and wanted to gauge her interest in the prospect.

Angelo chuckled lightly when Minerva mentioned her apparel. "We're travelers and we look the part," he tried to assure her. "Baron'll know our business soon as he sees us." He cast a glance towards the innkeeper. "But we'll see what the innkeep has to say first," he'd finish, waving the man over.

"Name's Angelo," he introduced himself, then motioned across the booth, "and this is Minerva. We've been on the road for some time and were passing through, looking for rest and respite."

The innkeeper put his arms on his hips and grinned, "reckon ye found it then aye? 'ow's the pork n' stew?"

"Oh, it's good," Angelo assured the man. "But we were wondering... if there was any work being offered around here."

The innkeep bit his lip then scratched his head in contemplation. "Mmm, still low on firewood... sheep could do wit some grazin'." Angelo sighed and placed a hand on his zweihander, leaned up against the wall next to the booth. The innkeep nodded, understanding that he and Minerva were looking for more... action-oriented work. He looked around at the other patrons then leaned closer:

"Aye, they's been a problem as late. First the sheep goes-a-missin', then the cows... now the folk's is vanishin'. Course the Baron thinks it's ol Wilton, 'as 'im locked up in the fort and been that way for a week now. But there still be a vanishin' here and there, and terrible howls in the night, so we knows it's not Wilton. If ye 'ad a heart ye would let Wilton out of that cage. Folk 'ere don't 'ave much, but I can spread the word and the folk'll pitch in. Just don't go a-tellin' the baron and thems, ye hear?"

Angelo looked across the table to Minerva to see what she thought of this situation.

The innkeeper was called away by another patron. "'xcuse me," he said before moving on.

Angelo held his hands up "you're probably right," he agreed. "But I think we should seek more information from the Baron and the one they call Wilton. They could reveal something of value to us. But," he shrugged, "if you're itching to get started now, we could begin the hunt right away."

Angelo would let Minerva decide the path they would take. The duo could wait until nightfall and slay the beast, or they could track it through the woods right away. Alternatively they might take a more diplomatic route and seek out additional information - and reward - from the Baron and Wilton.

Angelo breathed a sigh of relief and smiled, "agreed. Ready when you are."

---

Once both hunters had finished their respective meals they made their way to the hillfort. Angelo glanced over at the stable to ensure their mounts were still accounted for and, satisfied, led the way. The Baron's hillfort was really a stone complex that housed himself and his family, with a smithy, barracks, and training yard scattered around it. A tall palisade surrounded the stronghold and a single gate served to permit entry.

"Halt!" demanded one of the guards. Like his associate nearby, he donned a simple helmet and mail, covered by a tabard. They both carried swords on their belts, but wielded spears while on duty. "State your business, peasants," he requested harshly.

Angelo resisted the urge to tell the man off and replied "not peasants. Just looking for work, heard you have a problem with some beast-run-afoul?"

The guards studied Angelo and Minerva. They weren't as dumb as they looked and deduced from their attire and weaponry they were mercenaries. "Gould, take'em up to the stronghold, I'll stay and watch the gate." Gould motioned for the two to follow and they proceeded into the complex and towards the Baron's home.

To their right a cage was suspended in the air and a naked man, shivering in winter's grasp, spied them from his forsaken imprisonment. "Oi! Strangers!" he began to cry out, "ye must help-"

"Quiet you!" roared a guard, banging his spear against the iron bars. The fellow must have been Wilton. He had been stripped of his clothes, and his unkempt hair and unshaven beard implied he had been locked up for more than a few days now.

"Ignore'im," Gould ordered, finally bringing them before the stronghold. He gave three loud raps and before long another guard spied the trio from a peephole. Another few seconds went by and the door swung ajar.

Within was a large hall, furnished with wooden benches, tables, chairs, and rugs. A nobleman sat in a cushioned chair on the left side of the room, sipping a bottle of wine. He had a neatly shaven face and his brown hair was pulled backwards into a knot, and his bright blue eyes shone at the proximity of the fire. Gould returned to his post, while the Baron motioned waved the visitors over to him.

"My man mentioned a couple of strangers who looked your sort," he announced. "I... am Baron Stratovich, lord of Erlwitz. Pray tell why a ragged duo of brigands dare share a drink with the locals before consulting with me."

Minerva pleased the Baron with her response and it would make the coming conversation a lot easier for everyone involved. "And so you are?" he replied eagerly to her request for a job. He indeed had a task, and Angelo and Minerva certainly looked capable of handling it. His own men were lazy, incompetent, or just plain scared to accomplish the task on their own. Not to mention he couldn't afford to lose the dolts lest he lose his power.

"Well as it happens, I do have a job for the two of you." He took another sip of his wine and then offered it to his guests. Angelo shrugged and partook, offering the bottle to Minerva afterwards. It was strawberry flavored, and of a quality not reminiscent of a small town like Erlwitz; certainly a step up form the pis-poor ale offered at the Black Sheep.

"You might have spied our very own Wilton on your way in," he began. "Do not be fooled, for he is not as he seems. Well, actually," the Baron shrugged, "I still haven't figured that out yet. First the livestock began to vanish, and guessing it was the work of wolves, I sent a patrol out, but they never returned. Then a villager goes missing one night, and two more the next. The peasants demand I do something, so I station sentries on the outskirts.

"Next morning they tell me that three men wander into the forest in the black of night. Idiots were too frightened to follow them or order them back into their homes, but come morning only one of the three returned: Wilton."

The Baron stood up and cleared his throat, then began pacing back and forth in front of the fire place. "Now I don't know if Wilton has anything to do with these... disappearances. But he must know something, yet he refuses to speak of the subject. That's why I have him locked up in the courtyard... and it is where he shall hang until he finds his tongue. Of course, villagers keep disappearing every other night or so and the people demand I do something about it."

The Baron finally turned on his heel and grinned at his guests. "Someone... or something is in the woods and the villagers will not leave me alone until the matter is resolved. Slay the damn beast and I will compensate you kindly."

"My men reported seeing him return from the south road," the Baron answered Minerva, "so I presume he was dallying about in those parts." He then stroked the area where his beard would be, contemplating the woman's prospect of questioning Wilton. He didn't have any reason not to mistrust the two and ultimately deduced that this would be okay. "Very well..."

He led the duo back outside and into the courtyard, where the sky was beginning to darken. They were escorted to the suspended cage where a single guard watched over the imprisoned Wilton. The poor man was shivering in the cold temperatures, and he did his best to stay warm by curdling up in a ball against the iron bars.

"Wilton!" barked the Baron, simultaneously waving off the guard. "I have brought you some friends!" he teased.

"M-m-m-mercy milord! Please! You have to understand - it weren't me! I-I-I swear!"

"Oh, hush you," Stratovich was not the least concerned about the state of his prisoner's health. "Now be a good lad and hear what they have to say!" The Baron then motioned Minerva to the suspended cage. She would be able to smell feces and urine in the area, and no doubt had to wave off the flies and gnats that swarmed the droppings below the cage.

"W-w-w-what do you want!?" he sobbed.

Wilton shook like autumn leaves in a brisk wind. The prisoner had no idea who Minerva was, and her mannerisms intimidated him. But to his surprise, and Angelo's too, her weapon snaked out to the Baron. Stratovich, distracted first then alarmed, was only able to say "what the!?" before passing out from Minerva's bold attack.

Angelo was frozen, just as shocked as the Baron had been. ""Minerva!" he exclaimed in a hushed manner, "I hope you know what you're doing!" He raised his right hand above his left shoulder and gripped the hilt of his zweihander, looking back and forth to make sure no one was looking. Fortunately, it was late and the majority of the guards were drinking themselves into a slumber within the barracks. Only Gould and his partner stood sentry at the entrance of the hillfort, but there attention was diverted to the goings-on outside the stronghold, not inside. The Baron's Man was standing watch within Stratovich's keep. The man previously watching Wilton was relieving himself in an alley somewhere, and probably wouldn't return until he saw the Baron and his guests leave the cage area.

Angelo had no choice but to follow through with Minerva's plan. She unlocked Wilton and then went to distract the Baron's Man. Angelo meanwhile told the prisoner to keep his head down, then pulled the Baron somewhere out of sight. He hoped Stratovich would forget what had happened, but it wouldn't take long to put two-and-two together and figure out who had disgraced him.

Minerva was making progress with the Baron's Man. "Heh," he responded sheepishly, "I think we all have a little too much to drink 'round here." He then cleared his throat at her compliment, "oh, well, uh, ahem, yes, thank you, er, milady..."

With the Baron stashed away in an unceremonious manner, Angelo led Wilton towards the hillfort's entrance. "Stick close, and keep quiet," he warned him. He took a piece of wood and crept up behind the two sentries. Thwack! The wood splintered across Gould's head and dazed him. His partner had little time to react before Angelo grabbed him in a chokehold, eventually forcing him to pass out. His body fell limp and Costello dragged him out of sight. Gould, who was starting to regain his bearings, found Angelo's shin crashing into his nose, knocking him unconscious. He was promptly dragged out of sight, but Costello looted his cloak and urged Wilton to cover his valuables.

Angelo and Wilton were now able to creep towards safety and they both hoped Minerva was handling herself as well as they had. "T-t-thank you, m-m-mister!" Wilton clammered. "But I-I-I must s-s-see her!" He started to trot off into the village, and Angelo lashed out and grabbed him by the shoulders. The two waited for Minerva to appear.

Not unlike his liege, the guard was just as distracted by Minerva and suffered a similar attack. Both of them were doused with the strawberry wine. A skeptical ploy, but it was better than nothing.

Angelo was wide-eyed at Minerva and could only respond with "well I guess so!" Wilton tried to lurch away again, but the powerful Costello kept him in place. "Damn fool keeps trying to skitter away!" he told her, annoyed. "Keeps going on about some 'girl'." He scratched his chin; something was off about Wilton, and he seemed drawn to something beyond the town. He could very well lead the duo into the forest if Minerva was ready to hunt for the creature.