Day 9: Afternoon

Tine Gorge is the worn out old sock of towns. A hundred years ago there was good mining in the Snakebacks. That gave out a while back, and most commerce went with it. The people there don’t have much and they don’t see many visitors.

The gorge itself is just past the edge of town, the far edge toward the mountains. The town is a built-up wooden strip along the main road, with grubbier buildings off the side streets. We could see it from two ridges away, beckoning from its promontory. We were near a little goat farm at the time.

"We should raise our colours," I said.

Gunther and Tallow turned and looked at me. Tallow smiled. "Why?"

"We're armed. We're from the Count. These people have hobs around, maybe. They should know we're here to help."

Tallow shook his head. "We're not here to help. We're here to do a job and leave."

"Yeah well, let's raise our colours. Give me the flag."

"It's in my saddlebag," said Tallow. He didn't reach for it.

So I went up there and fished around for it. Other side. Found it and took one of our long spears to attach it to—even got Gunther to hold it for me as I tied it. Soon it was flapping over our heads, displaying Count Yank’s sigil and colours to the world.

It didn’t last long. As we rose up over the next hill I stopped, lowered the spear, and yanked the pennant off. I was about to toss it to the wind when Gunther said, “We should keep it. Might come in handy.” So instead I balled it up and threw it to him. He stuck it in a saddlebag and we kept going.

Right after that I regained control, but what use was there? If I took the time to hang up the pennant again I’m sure it’d just be down in a minute. I have no way of fighting this thing—so far.

When we got into town there was no warm welcome. People on porches and front doors stared at us. Nobody said anything.

A hideous man with a loaded crossbow came around the corner from behind one of the buildings. I put my hand on my sword and tensed up my heels against my horse. I would’ve charged him. But he put up one hand as a peace sign and walked closer—stopped maybe eighty feet from us.

“Travelers are welcome here,” he announced.

“Could’ve fucking fooled me!” I yelled back.

“Troublemakeres are not,” he continued. “Now what’s your business?”

“We come from Frankton,” said Gunther. “To hunt some monsters.”

The man with the crossbow snorted. A few of the townspeople watching shook their heads and went inside.

“You must be the constable?” asked Tallow.

The ugly man nodded. “Sariss Argon.”

“Well Master Argon, my name is Tallow. My companions and I heard tell of hobgoblins in these parts and thought we'd have a look. Do you know, are the rumours true?”

The constable screwed up his face, spat on the ground, then looked up at the sky for a moment before speaking. “I know I haven’t seen any. You can ask around if you like, but I’m sure that none of these folks have seen anything either. There’s no reason they would have, with me around killing anything that breaks the peace. And me watching everyone day and night.” He grinned. “But you can ask.”

He lowered his crossbow and gestured toward one of the wood-and-plaster buildings. “Hostel’s over that way. Help yourselves.”

So this was our great introduction to Tine Gorge. We tied our horses up and got a room, then made a sort of rough plan. The others went out to gather information, as much as they can get anyway. Doesn’t seem like the friendliest place but someone’s going to let something slip. Tallow is going around town, Gunther is chatting people up at the tavern, and Grens is going to take the “quiet approach” (whatever that is).

So why aren’t I out there? Well, I think Tallow said it:

“Captain, you don’t seem to be at your best.”

No, I’m not. Thing is, I have more manners than these three assholes put together. I should be out there finding out what’s going on. But everytime I open my mouth I holler like a drunk baron. So far on this trip I’ve mauled a bear, slammed an ally and offended at least two public officials. So I didn’t put up much of a fight when they asked me to stay behind.

My job was to put up the horses. Found a stable and paid dearly for their upkeep, but that comes with being a stranger. That went so quick I’ve had plenty of time to sit here and write. I’m outside the hostel so I can see when the others come back, then we can meet and figure out our next move. Hope it won’t be too much longer.