The Road Goes Ever On

Chapter 4

It took Jason two weeks to cross the Eros Mountains and reach Theron. The capital was surrounded by thick stone walls and bustled with thousands of people from all races and backgrounds. Humans rubbed shoulders with dwarves, elves, beast-folk, and others as they hurried about.

Jason made his way through the crowded streets to the city guard's headquarters. Though initially skeptical of his fighting skills, the guard captain eventually allowed Jason to review reports of the disappearances. Over the past two months, seven people had vanished without a trace from the city's busy market. The guard suspected kidnapping, but there were never any ransom demands. They had no leads.

"I'll investigate the market and see if I uncover anything useful," Jason offered, eager to get started. 

"Very well. Report back if you learn something," the captain said. He seemed relieved to hand the mystery off to someone else.

Beginning the next day, Jason patrolled the thriving market and asked questions. The first few vendors he spoke with revealed nothing new. But then a dwarf blacksmith mentioned sometimes seeing cloaked figures lurking near the baker's stall late at night after the market had closed. 

That night, Jason hid himself in the shadows and watched the baker's booth from across the nearly empty market. Sure enough, around midnight three hooded figures emerged from the darkness and began examining the booth. One pulled out lockpicking tools and started working on the door.

Jason drew his sword and rushed out to confront them. "Halt! What are you doing here?"

The three spun around in surprise, then scattered. Jason managed to tackle one to the ground. It was a human male, dressed all in black. Jason put his sword to the man's throat.

"Alright, talk! What's going on here?" Jason demanded.

The man gasped, "Please, don't kill me! I'll tell you everything."

He confessed he was part of a gang who had been abducting people from the market to sell into slavery across the sea in Riverdell. They kidnapped folks who seemed like they wouldn't be missed and smuggled them away in the night by wagon. The man didn't know the location of their operation, as they took a convoluted route each time to avoid detection.

Disgusted by the scheme, Jason hauled the man to the city guard's headquarters. The captain threw him into a cell to await trial. He congratulated Jason for cracking the case and offered him a handsome reward of gold coins. Though tempted by the treasure, Jason refused it.

"Keep it," he said. "Just promise you'll find and free the slaves." The captain agreed, impressed by Jason's selflessness.

Having solved his first real adventure, Jason settled down to a celebratory drink at one of Theron's taverns. He didn't know what he would do next, but the prospect of further quests thrilled him. That night, he dreamed of Daphne and wondered if she would be proud.