Meric the Storyman: Rega and the Dragonstones
Chapter 9: The King’s Crown

While the ferry traveled between Striplind and Cromwell, Rega thought about his mission. He would have to make sure no mistakes were made to complete this first task. To steal something from the King’s Castle would be hard enough. To take the crown jewel would be nearly impossible. His thoughts then turned towards another difficult mission that was similar to this one.

It was early in Rega’s training. A man had come to the trader shop asking for the burglar team to recover a specific document in the city of Makloran. The fee was good and Milrop felt that this would be a perfect final mission for training before Rega started going out on his own. So, it was accepted.

They were given information on what the document looked like, where it was stored, and which house to go to. After a couple weeks of travel time, the pair made it to the Kingdom City. It was still early in the day, so they secured a room for the night, ate, and rested.

They spent two more days inspecting the area of the house where the document was located. Patrol routes were determined along with times. The number of visitors to the house as well as time of day visited was also noted. It was finally decided that the best time to get the document would be in the evening at dinner-time. This would leave the room empty where the document was stored. Also, the city guard shift change occurred during this time, leaving an extra few minutes between patrols.

Delivery of the acquired item was a case-by-case basis. In this case, they were to meet up with the man wanting the document a day’s ride from Makloran. They left a note in an agreed-upon location with a simple message of “tomorrow.”

They both got a good night’s sleep and ate a good breakfast the next morning. Milrop visited a couple shops to make several small purchases. “These items will easily sell back in Ractah for a decent profit.” he said to Rega. “Plus, it gives us a good cover when traveling back home.”

The day passed and all too soon it became time to do the job they were here for. Both Rega and Milrop got dressed in their darker clothing normally used for these kinds of jobs. Rega placed his lock picks in a small belt pouch. The two men then headed to the house.

This was a perfect time. Darkness was approaching so it was easier to be able to hide in the shadows. As they hid, they could smell the food inside. This was good as it meant the occupants would be heading to dinner soon. They also watched as the guards made their patrols in the area.

After a short amount of time, Milrop let Rega know to start climbing. There were plenty of handholds for Rega to use to scale the wall up to the second floor room. He checked the window for traps, just like he was taught, and then climbed into the room. Since he had been hiding in the shadows, it did not take long for his eyes to adjust to the darkness in the room.

He searched the room and found a small lock-box up on a shelf in the closet. He reached into his belt pouch and started to grab his lock pick tools but stopped when he heard footsteps and voices coming closer to the room. Instead of opening the small lock-box in the room, he placed it in an empty sack he carried, climbed back out the window and then down the wall to Milrop. He then motioned to his mentor that they should move away from the area.

They headed back to their room at the inn before finally opening the lock-box. Inside were two items. One was the document, sealed with wax and a stamp. The second item was the seal. This one made both men pale for a few seconds. The seal was an item used by one of the leaders of the local Thieves Guild. They had just managed to break into and steal something from someone who could be very dangerous to them if word got out about who did the job.

Upon arrival in Cromwell, all passengers had to register with the customs official, as well as state their reason for coming to the island. The halfling’s Redbottom Leaf took care of this nicely. It was an uncommon event for halflings to travel this far to sell their special pipe-weed, so it was reasonable for them to have bodyguards.

Once admitted, and after the party had left the customs officer, Rega said, “I noticed on the map that an inn is located near the castle. Lobaki and I will see if any rooms are available. You and the brownies go see about unloading your pipe-weed.”

“O.K. Rega,” said Stice. “We’ll meet up with you later.”

The halflings and brownies headed to the open market area. Rega and Lobaki went to the inn.

“I hope Dex and Doman succeed in their part of this.” said Rega to the young magician.

Dexir found the building Rega had given him directions to. It was located on the west side of the city. The sign hanging above the door set the mood even before they entered. The place was called The Sea Dog’s Pub.

Inside, the smell of unwashed, sweaty bodies mixed with the odor of stale ale and cheap pipe-weed. Two sailors were fighting over in a corner. One of the sailors near the fight peered intently at them for a bit but then turned back to the action taking place near him.

All races were represented here. There were many humans, a handful of half-orcs, several dwarves, half-elves, and even a gnome and an elf. The bartender was a halfling. He was the person to see.

Dexir went up to the halfling. “I would like two ales.” When the bartender started to get them, Dexir asked, “By the way, how is the weather over at Luxod’s Point?”

The halfling replied, “Fine...if you like the cold.”

Dexir then said, “No thanks, I like to keep warm.”

Dexir and Doman took their drinks over to an empty table. The ale tasted awful. Dexir could tell it had been watered down, probably so sailors could drink more before getting drunk. They watched the bartender signal a person sitting by the back door. The person left and then returned a few minutes later.

He walked up to Dexir. “Come with me.”

When Dexir and Doman both got up to follow, the man said, “The half-orc stays.”

Doman nodded his head showing Dexir that it would be fine. He then sat back down.

Dexir followed.

The man led him out the back door. Dexir saw another building behind the pub. Another man was standing guard at the entrance.

The first man walked up to the guard and said, “Take him to Luxod.”

The guard nodded. He told Dexir to leave his weapon at the door. After Dexir unbuckled his scabbard, complying with the order, he was then led inside.

This was a simple building. There was a kitchen, a small study, and several small sleeping rooms. It was to one of these that Dexir was taken.

“Luxod is waiting.” said the guard. “Go in.”

Dexir nervously opened the door. A large man with a bald head was sitting behind a desk. He had a nasty scar on the right side of his face. A single chair was waiting for Dexir.

“Please be seated.” said the man. “What can I do for you?”

Since Rega had said that he could be trusted, Dexir told Luxod, “Rega of Ractah sent me here for your help. He is in need of a way out of Cromwell.”

Upon hearing Rega’s name, Luxod relaxed and smiled. “Rega, you say.” he said, more a statement than a question. “I still owe him a favor, so consider it done. Just give me the specifics and I will take care of the rest.”

Dexir told him the time of the pickup, the number in the party, and even the races of the party. Luxod then dismissed Dexir.

Dexir retrieved his weapon and was taken back into the pub. He motioned to Doman that it was time to leave. On the way out, he tossed two silver coins to the halfling.

“All set.” he said to Doman after they had walked out the door. “Let’s get a place to stay and wait.”

Neither of them saw the elf exit the pub, following them.

Rega and Lobaki found the inn. It was located just a couple buildings away from the castle. Obviously, it had been built for visiting dignitaries. It was very expensive. One night cost ten gold pieces. Rega paid with two-hundred silver, one-fifth of what was given to him by Soliat, for two adjoining rooms.

Lobaki went to her room to study the necessary spell. Rega decided to look around the city. Although he had been here once before, it would not hurt to see if any changes had been made.

“Send word that it is about to begin.” said one elf to another. “I will be along shortly with more information.”

Rega caught up with the halflings and brownies. They did very well with sales. By tomorrow, all of the Redbottom Leaf should be sold they said.

They returned to the inn. Lobaki was still studying her spell, but took a break when they entered the room.

“Let’s get something to eat.” said Lobaki. Everyone agreed.

They found a place which served a good meal at a reasonable price. The specialty that night was mushroom hollandaise. The hollandaise was buttery, with a hint of lemon. After eating, they returned to the inn.

“Tomorrow is it.” said Rega. “Remember your part, especially if you want to make it out of here.”

Everyone went to sleep for the night.

In the morning, the halflings and brownies went to sell the remaining pipe-weed. Lobaki went to finish studying the spell. Rega went to look at the city some more.

By the afternoon, Lobaki had finished her studying and had made the initial preparations. The halflings and brownies were out of pipe-weed and Rega had his plan completed. He went over the last remaining details with the party. Once it was dark, they would proceed.

While the halflings went to the dwarven checkpoint, Rega took the rest of the party to the location by the castle he had chosen.

Rega was dressed in his black form-fitted gear. His usual clothing would be too bulky for this. He took a couple deep breaths and signaled for Lobaki to begin.

Lobaki had prepared everything for the spell. She sent the brownies out ahead of time to look for some tar and a live spider.

She had Rega take off his boots and stockings. She then explained that the person under the spell had to be bare-handed and bare-foot.

Certi had found a nice specimen of a spider. It was plump, hairy, and long-legged. Lobaki took the spider, using a cloth to hold it, said some magical words and made some gestures over it. The spider went still.

Ardi returned covered with a tar-like substance. He said that he had found a bucket of pitch by the docks, but had spilled it on the way back. Lobaki pinched off a small amount from Ardi’s clothes, said some magical words and made gestures over this as well. She placed the tar next to the spider.

Now it was Rega’s turn. “Eat them.” ordered Lobaki. “It is necessary for the spell to become active.”

The brownies smiled when they heard this. Rega groaned, and then said to Lobaki, “This had better work.”

He took the spider and tar and placed them in his mouth. He hesitated chewing them.

“Don’t delay too long.” said Lobaki, with a smile. “Saliva will make the spider wake up.”

Rega chewed. The taste was awful. The tar caused the legs and other parts of the spider to stick to his teeth. The rest of the spider just squished in his mouth. He wondered if Certi had found this big and hairy of a spider for a little extra humor.

Lobaki said some more magical words, and then made the gestures of a spider climbing up a wall with her hand. She finally touched Rega on the lips with her finger.

Instantly, the awful taste in his mouth was gone. The tar and spider disappeared. Rega felt a tingling in his arms and legs. He walked over to the castle wall and started to climb. His bare hands and feet clung easily to the smooth surface. He had no problem climbing up the smooth surface of the wall to get to the King’s chamber window.

Orff had been hired by Luxod before. He was good. He knew the layout of the island and he had a boat that was dependable. As he drifted to the predetermined location, he wondered who he would be getting this time.

Now was the time for Rega’s experience to come into play. During his tours of the area, he knew there were two guards positioned outside the chamber at all times. If the Dwarf King was not present, on regular intervals one of the guards would open the door and give everything a quick visual inspection, sometimes actually walking into the room. Most of his attention went to the crown and the case holding it. The King would only wear this crown for special ceremonies. The rest of the time he would wear a simpler one.

Rega climbed into a dark corner of the room and waited for the guard to make his inspection. He didn’t have to wait too long. Right on cue, the door opened and a dwarf guard with a long braided, red beard and hair came in to inspect the crown. Rega squinted as the guard casually glanced over in his direction. This helped to prevent any reflections from his eyes alerting the guard. Satisfied, the guard turned and left, closing the door and going back to his position outside.

Rega climbed back down to the floor and then he slipped on a pair of thin gloves to prevent anything from sticking to his hands inadvertently. His eyes better adjusted to the low light, he then scanned the room, getting the lay of everything.

The crown was placed in a glass display case, trimmed with silver and gold. Rubies and sapphires also adorned the case. He yearned to take the whole case, but he knew that he was here for what was placed on the crown. Then he saw the ruby.

Moving silently, he crept over to the case. The Dragonstone was perfect! It was a deep dark red color, with no perceptive flaws. He forgot all about the value of the case.

Rega began to search the case for a latch or something. He found a keyhole. He also found the latch. Looking closer, he found two traps.

The first trap was in the keyhole. A thief picking the lock would set the trap if it wasn’t spotted. As it was, he would have to be careful not to bump it himself. The second trap was the stand holding the crown. If the first trap was successfully bypassed, a thief in a hurry might overlook the second.

This second trap would be more delicate. The crown rested on a pillow which, in turn, sat on a flat surface. At a quick look, it appeared that the surface was all one piece. It was not. Part of the surface would rise when the weight of the crown was removed from it, thus triggering the trap. To avoid the second trap, he would have to find how to prevent the surface from rising. Looking all over the stand, he finally found it. A small silver pin in the back of the stand could be pushed in to hold the surface in place.

Rega decided to pick the lock first. Pushing in the pin would not help a bit if the case was still locked. He carefully took out the lock picks he would need. In less than a minute, he heard the satisfying click signaling that it was now unlocked with the trap being disarmed.

Next, he slowly lifted the cover of the case. Nothing happened yet. Now was the time to push the pin in. After doing that, he carefully lifted the crown off the stand. Success. No traps were set. He pried the ruby out of the crown, placing it in his miniature bag of holding. A piece of rock, painted red, was placed in the ruby’s newly vacated spot. Hopefully, this would buy him a little time. He placed the crown back on the stand. Finally, he closed the cover.

Unfortunately, he forgot one important detail. Closing the cover releases the silver pin. When he closed the cover, sure enough, the silver pin was released. The rock he used to replace the ruby weighed slightly less than the Dragonstone. This caused the surface to slowly start rising. Rega didn’t wait to find out what happened next. He bolted to the window.

As he started out the window, he managed to get one glove off. Both feet and one hand could be used to climb down. In the room, he could hear a loud, rusty, grating sound of a steel cage being dropped. By the time he had made it to the ground, an alarm had been sounded.

“Quick, get my shoes.” Rega said to Lobaki. “Let’s get going!”

Stice and Lano had been sent ahead just in case a diversion was necessary. They had dressed like dwarf citizens. Although they weren’t as stocky, they were about the right height.

The main road leading into the mountain took them by dwarf residences. In these places, miners, smelt operators or shop owners lived. Since the mines were operated around the clock, not everyone was sleeping.

They waited. Soon, they heard an alarm being sounded. If Rega had succeeded, he would be along this way soon. After waiting a few more minutes, they went to the checkpoint.

Stice was first to act. In a harshly, but excitedly spoken dwarven, he ran in shouting, “Quick. To the castle.”

Lano followed, shouting, “The King. He has been hurt.”

The two dwarves on guard took off toward the castle. If Rega managed to get the jewel, it wouldn’t be long before the castle guards intercepted them with the true story. Rega, Lobaki and the brownies only had minutes.

Rega hoped that the halflings accomplished their part of the plan. They had easily gotten into the inside of the mountain. A few bribes placed with the right people had ensured this. Rega had made good use of his time touring the city.

The checkpoint came into view. Hopefully, they would be able to make it up the stairs to the upper level before their ploy was discovered.

He ran to the door, opened it, and saw the two halflings waiting for him.

“Rega, you made it.” said Stice.

“Up the stairs. Hurry.” was Rega’s reply.

Orff first heard an alarm go off. A short time later he saw a small group of people running to the location.

The leader of the group, a human wearing all black, suddenly stopped as he came close to the boat. The rest of the group stopped as well. All of them stared at Orff.

“I’m a dwarf. So what.” said Orff. “I’m also here to save your hide if I hear right. You better move it before those guards catch up.”

The group got on the boat. Orff slipped the boat away from the shore. Soon, the island was out of sight.

Rega smiled. The Ruby Dragonstone was in his possession. Luck was now on his side.

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