Mortzeel's Lost & Found

Chapter 1

Belgar isn't the most exciting of places, not the dullest either. Sitting on the western coast of Escana looking out towards the Kalbasha Ocean, it does a good business in exotic wines and foreign spices. It is also the city of choice for the up-and-coming adventurer. With the Coldash Mountains to the north and the Splinterwood forest to the east, there was always work to be found for those looking to make a name for themselves, and today was no different.

The streets were a bustle with vendors, shoppers, travellers, and locals. The sound of seagulls and roaring merchants filled the air, the aroma of cooked meats and fresh spices covering the stench of the unwashed masses.

Making her way through the crowds, ignoring the unmissable deals and bargains being offered to her at every turn, Tal’avera was an elf on a mission. A tall woman, long blond hair with more colourful threads woven in than a Wintervail tree, long ears jingling all the way with silver hoops, and stern yet cheerful features. Her emerald green robes ruffled and wrinkled from a hard night's sleep, the hems caked with mud and dust from her journeys. But she didn't have time to be concerned with that now, it wasn't anything a simple prestidigitation couldn't fix. If only she was able to cast any spells.

Tal’avera was not local to Belgar, in fact she'd only arrived in the city the day before, and had already received such a warm welcome. Her backpack containing the majority of her possessions had been swept from her shoulder by a couple of teenagers offering her directions to the nearest tavern, and then things only got worse.

Having been turned around enough already this morning she finally found the entrance to the guardhouse. Dusting herself off as best she could, Tal took a deep breath and strode inside.

The building itself was surprisingly empty, the bare stone walls keeping the room fresh and cool in contrast to the warm summer day outside. A single guard sitting behind a booth was doing his best to look busy, and a young boy pinned notices to a board by the entrance.

Despite herself, and knowing the luck she'd had lately, Tal took a few steps over to the boy and in a hushed voice asked, "Excuse me, sorry, but I don't suppose this is the guardhouse, is it?"

The boy looked up at her with a toothy smile. "Well if it isn't Miss, then I'm gonna be real late for work." He smiled again and went back to pinning notices of what appeared to be wanted posters.

Tal smiled back at him, happy to be in the right place, but took no notice of the posters. She didn't know anyone who lived here or have the time to go bounty hunting. The duty guard was her next target. Standing before his booth as he thumbed over paperwork, she smiled and cleared her throat to announce her presence.

With the heavy sigh of a man who had been hoping for a quiet morning, the guard sat back and looked up at her. "Good morning Miss, and how can I help you?"

"Good morning, and I do indeed hope so. You see, I'd like to report a theft." Tal tried her best to maintain a cheerful disposition after her trying morning.

The guard shuffled through to a blank sheet of parchment. "Ok, can you please provide details on the item or items that have been stolen and the location where you saw it or them last." He rattled off this well practiced line with all the enthusiasm he was able.

"Just one item," Tal said, beginning to feel flustered, "my hand, and the last place I saw it was here, on my wrist."

The guard looked up from his notes in confusion to see Tal holding up her right forearm and pointing with her left hand to the stump where it ended.

The guard's mouth opened and closed a number of times while he carefully chose the right words for the situation. "What?"

Tal sighed. "My arcane prosthetic, an engraved brass cuff with a permanent enchantment. When I woke up this morning it was gone. My backpack was also stolen by some street kids yesterday."

The guard made a note, trying his hardest not to stare. "Okay Miss, and could you tell me where you were staying last night and who else had access to your room?"

Tal's cheeks flushed slightly. "Well you see, as I mentioned my backpack was also stolen yesterday…"

The guard nodded, his ink pen hovering over the parchment.

"...and my coin purse was inside it, so I couldn't pay for lodgings."

"So can I ask where you were staying?"

Tal took a deep pouty breath. "I'm not sure. Do you know the marketplace by the east gate?" The guard nodded. "There's a statue of some old guy there, I slept next to that."

"I see," the guard scribbled some more notes, "and do you..er.. remove your prosthetic to sleep?"

"No, I usually need two hands when I wake up and I've gotten used to it over the years." Tal absentmindedly rubbed her stump. "And to answer your next question, yes someone took it off my arm in my sleep, and no I didn't wake up, I'm a pretty heavy sleeper."

The guard chuckled, "You'd have to be to sleep through losing a hand." He finished making his notes, ignoring the glare coming from the elven woman in front of him. "Okay. I think I've got everything I need. If anyone hands it in…sorry...we shall contact you, where can we reach you?"

Tal raised an eyebrow. "Sorry, what do you mean 'if anyone hands it in'? You're not going to investigate?"

The guard sighed. "In all honesty, we've got more serious things to be looking into, and the chances of your prosthetic still being in the city are lower than my pay. But if it turns up, we'll get it back to you, we just need to know where you'll be staying."

"So you're saying I've lost my hand? For the second time? What am I supposed to do?" She began pacing and gesturing wildly, which was only half as effective as it used to be. "I've got nothing! No coin, no change of clothes, not even my books! What am I supposed to do?"

The guard had pushed his chair back a few feet, putting him out of arm's reach from the flailing woman. "Look, there's every chance it could turn up. We'll put a note out to the enchanters to be aware it's stolen goods. But that's about the best we can do, okay?"

It wasn't okay, but arguing about it wasn't going to get her anywhere. After giving a detailed description of her cuff, she would have provided a sketch but unfortunately she was a righty, and giving as good an account of the two teens that had made off with her bag, there was nothing more Tal could do. The guard was kind enough to give her a small pouch of copper and a change of clothes from their charity box. It wasn't enough for her to get far but it was enough for a warm meal and a bed for a night. He'd even suggested, although implying that it was more of a last resort, a place she could stay for cheap.

This was a last resort situation. Without her spellbooks or her hand she couldn't get work, and without work she'd be on the streets again in a matter of days. Now was not the time to be picky.

So with a determined head she made her way through the more impoverished district of Belgar to The Troll's Den, a tavern for those on a budget, where she'd been told she could find a place to stay for a night or two at least. As she walked through the streets Tal couldn't help but wonder if this trip had been a bad idea. Sure her life back home had been relatively dull, and she'd hunted down enough giant rats and forest bandits to last a lifetime, but leaving everything behind to hit the big city might have been a mistake. Master Brum, the librarian and her tutor had told her things would be difficult, but he'd neglected to mention she'd be mugged and stranded. Then again, he'd never specifically said she wouldn't be. Master Brum was crafty like that.

Leaving her thoughts of home behind, Tal took in the peculiar sight of the tavern as she approached. Rickety wasn't really the word for it, patchwork maybe. It looked like the owners had made repair after repair, just enough to keep it from being condemned. A towering three storey building held together with scaffolding and prayers, with architectural design ranging from decades to centuries. If it was in a nicer part of town Tal ventured the property would be worth a fortune, if only for the eccentricity of it all. Though her favourite part was the surprisingly artistic sign that hung above the door, a picturesque hovel with 'The Troll's Den' carved beneath.

With a deep breath, preparing for the worst, Tal walked into the tavern, and gasped.

Inside was cosy, warmly decorated like an old hunting lodge, with mismatched furniture draped with all manner of furs, a large open smoldering fireplace sat beneath a variety of horns and tusks, some of which Tal recognised as troll tusks. A few patrons sat staring into their tankards, though none of them seemed to notice or care that someone had entered.

The only head that turned in her direction was the tavern keeper, who with a brief nod to an empty bar stool returned to cleaning mugs.

Tal took up the stool looking at the collection of barrels that sat behind the bar, none of which were labeled. She smiled at the tavern keeper, a tall, grey-skinned, burly half-orc woman, with matted dreadlocked hair and tusks long enough that she could have passed for a troll herself if the light were less favourable.

Leaning against the bar so hard the heavy wood creaked, the keeper looked Tal up and down. "What can I get you sweetie?"

"I need a room and some food...and some wine. I really need some wine."

The troll-orc smirked, "Rough day sweetie?" She pushed off the bar and grabbed a goblet from the back shelves. Pulling a lever with one hand a small bell rang in the distance, while she turned the tap on a barrel with the other, a dark red liquid flowing into the goblet.

"You don't know the half of it." Tal dropped her face into her hand.

"Well tell me about it," she placed the goblet in front of Tal, "it's been pretty quiet here lately, I could do with some gossip."

Tal didn't know how she felt about her recent tragedy being referred to as 'gossip', but she had little else to do. "Sure, I got... oh, how much do I owe you?" She took a sip from her goblet, having made a second grab for it with her existing hand, her nose twinging at the taste.

"Well one meal is included with the room, so that plus the drink, ten copper."

Tal reached for the coin purse she'd been given, swallowing the strange liquid. "That's fair. What am I drinking by the way? It's quite unusual." Looking into the purse she inwardly cursed, there was only forty copper inside, maybe she shouldn't have ordered the 'wine'.

"Red-barrel ale. The barrel was used to make wine, so that's the closest I've got." The keeper smiled a tusky smile as she held out her hand for the coin.

Tal paid the few copper, which was immediately pocketed. "Thank you kindly," she smiled, "The name's Tess by the way, welcome to the Troll's Den." She held out her hand.

Tal shook it, and quite the firm shake it was. Tess’s eyes widening slightly in surprise as Tal placed her stump in Tess’s calloused palm. "Tal’avera, and thank you, it's quite a charming place you've got here."

Tess poured herself a drink, something dark and thick, trying not to glance at Tal’s arm. "Thanks, been in the family for generations, now it's all mine." She leaned back against the wall of barrels. "So then, what's gone wrong in your life that you've ended up here?"

Whether it was the wine-ale, the stress, or just Tess's friendly demeanor, Tal didn't care, she regurgitated the story of her last two days like a torrent, exploding from deep within and eager to be out on the surface. Tess was a good listener, or at least seemed to be, not interrupting the story once, just sipping her ale and letting Tal vent her frustration, like a therapist with an open bar.

When the exhausted young elven woman had finally finished Tess took the mostly empty goblet from her, refilled it, and handed it back to her. "I think you've earned this one sweetie. Who steals a person's hand for god's sake?"

A small bell rang and Tess walked over to a panel, lifting it and retrieving a steaming bowl of something, which she also placed in front of Tal.

"I know, it's been quite inconvenient. Thank you," she picked up the spoon and began stirring the food she'd been given, only now realising she hadn't seen a menu or been given a choice. "What is this if you don't mind me asking?"

"Troll Stew," Tess smiled, "The house special, and the only thing we make. Meat, veg, and a broth that'll put hair on your chest."

Tal hesitantly and shakily took a spoonful. She wasn't too keen on the idea of a hairy chest, but it was warm and tasty, and right now that's all that mattered.

"You a righty?" Tess asked as she watched the elf eat. Tal nodded and Tess shook her head once more. "Some people, no respect. You take your time sweetie."

Tal smiled through a mouthful of stew, letting the warmth fill her and the tension drain from her body. After this a warm bath would not go a miss she thought to herself, now wondering if there were baths in this place.

"You know, I'm not one for getting into other people's business," Tess began as she leaned in towards Tal, "But I might know someone who could help you with your problem."

The way she spoke made Tal feel like they were about to discuss an assassination.

"There's someone who stays here, runs a sort of detective agency out of their room. Doesn't bother me too much and they pay monthly, it's even good for getting a few more butts on seats, but that's not the point. Still, I think they might be able to give you a hand...sorry." Tess made an awkward apologetic face.

Tal ignored the comment. "A detective agency? Are they any good?"

Tess shrugged. "Well it's not the best detective agency, I mean their office is a room in a tavern, but I've not heard many complaints. Still probably a better shot than waiting for the City Watch to get things done."

That Tal had to agree with. After all, what did she have to lose, she'd already been mugged twice in as many days. "Thanks, I guess I could try at least. Which room?"

"Room nine, on the second floor, they've got a little sign hanging on the door." Tess chuckled. "They'll be paying to repair that if they ever leave."

Tal washed down the last of her stew with the wine-ale, dabbing her lips with the sleeve of her robe. "Thank you. I'll head on up."

"Sure, no problem." Tess took the plate and handed her an iron key with an engraved tooth pendant. "You're in room seven, second floor as well. They should still be up there, not seen them leave and a young couple headed up to see them not ten minutes before you walked through the door."

Tal thanked her again and headed up the creaky stairs, feeling with each step like the boards might snap beneath her. As she made her way up to the second floor she stopped, suddenly remembering the state of the building she was in, and feeling as though she could feel the walls rock slowly from her additional weight. Tal shook her head, that wasn't possible, just her mind playing tricks. Though even after telling herself this, she continued much slower up the stairs than before.

After what seemed like an age Tal reached the second floor, checking the number on her key again just to be sure, and walked to her room. For cheap digs the room wasn't as bad as she was expecting, a large firm bed, vanity table with some rustic mirrors, and a basin in the corner. All of which looked like it had been rescued from the street many moons ago, but it matched the charm of the rest of the place.

Tal threw the bag of clothes onto the bed and looked herself over in the mirror. She'd looked worse, her hair needed a good brush and a more comfortable night's sleep would fix the bags under her eyes. She didn’t like the idea of wearing someone else’s clothes, and her robes weren’t all that bad, a quick dust off and she would be presentable. Tal began the motions for her casting out of habit before shooting herself a look in the mirror. With a sigh she smoothed out the creases in her dress with her hand as best she could and headed back out.

The detective agency, as Tess had called it, seemed, at least from the outside, like a normal tavern room, apart from the crude sign that hung from the door. ‘Mortzeel’s Lost & Found’. Tal shrugged, this seemed more like a child’s secret hideout than a reputable detective, but as they say, ‘any port in a storm’. She rapped against the door and waited.

“Just a moment if you’d be so kind!” a voice called from the other side. The sound of chairs scraping followed by some more muffled voices, then footsteps. Tal stepped back just in time as the door swung open, and two armed and armoured adventures stepped out.

“Thank you again,” the first said. A dark-skinned girl, human Tal guessed by the ears, dressed in worn leather armour with a bow and quiver slung over her shoulder. Tal could tell by the slightly smeared eye makeup that the girl had been crying.

“Yes, anything you can do to help would be greatly appreciated,” the second added. A stocky half-elf in jangly chainmail with a broad sword belted to his hip. He turned and shook the hand of the well dressed tiefling that followed.

“It is my pleasure, I shall inform you as soon as I have any information.” As the couple walked away the tiefling turned to Tal, “Welcome my dear, please, come, come, come,” they gestured through the door. “Clients today, they are like carriages, nothing for weeks and now two at once!”

Tal was hurried into the room, and the door shut behind her, her host sweeping past her to the desk.

The room was larger than hers, dimly lit by a variety of scattered candles balanced on any available surface, the window mostly obscured by a chest of drawers with piles of scrolls stacked on top. A room divider, of a style Tal did not recognise, separated the ‘office’ from the ‘bedroom’, though not so much that she couldn’t see the unmade bed and clothes strewn about the floor. The office was slightly tidier, two comfortable chairs sat in front of a tidy desk, a neat pile of parchments on one side and an ink well and pens on the other.

The tiefling, however, seemed very out of place. Crimson-purple skin, black and brown patched horns sweeping from their forehead to the back of the skull, where their long dark-silver hair was held in a messy bun with two carved wooden hair pins. They dressed in a slightly dated three-piece suit, sleeves rolled up to the elbows and the top button undone, very business casual. The flickering candle light gave their face an almost gaunt look, making their chiseled features seem too large. Tal would have considered the tiefling to be gangly if they had been much taller than her, their slim frame moving rather elegantly as they pulled out their chair.

As they sat a cheerful smile spread across their face, yellow eyes glittering in the flickering candle light. “Welcome to Mortzeel’s Lost and Found, I am Kaivel Mortzeel, how can I be of service?” Tal couldn’t quite place the accent, it was faint, but still seemed like the common tongue was not their first language.

Tal sat down and cleared her throat. “Tal’avera, and Tess downstairs recommended your services,” she pulled her sleeve back, revealing her stump and raising the immaculate eyebrows of Kaivel. “My hand was stolen, by which I mean my arcane prosthetic.”

“I was about to ask,” their smile intensified. Kaivel picked up a pen and a fresh piece of parchment. “Why don’t you start from the beginning, spare no details.”

Tal recounted, for the third time today, her recent nightmare of a life since she got to Belgar. All the while Kaivel took notes, maintained a straight face, and added the occasional, “I see.” When she finished Tal slumped back into her chair and waited for Kaivel to finish with their notes.

With a final flourish of their pen, Kaivel looked up with a beaming smile. “Well you have had quite the welcome to this fair city.”

“I’d argue with the ‘fair’ comment, but other than that yes,” Tal smiled despite herself, Kaivel’s friendly attitude was quite infectious.

Kaivel cleared their throat, “Well to get down to the business side, I charge two gold pieces a day and guarantee results in two weeks or your coin back.” Kaivel looked down at the notes and back up to Tal. “But since you’ve pretty much been beaten over the head from the moment you got here I’ll give you the friends and family discount, one gold piece a day. How does that sound?”

It was reasonable enough, and if her backpack wasn’t recovered she wouldn’t have to, or be able to, pay them anyway. “Sounds fair to me.”

“Perfect!” Standing up from the desk, Kaivel grabbed a small satchel from the back of their armchair. “I’ve got a few places I can try, and as luck would have it, it suits both my cases. I shall inform you as soon as I have any information, where can I find you?”

Tal tucked her chair under the desk, “Well I know no one and have nothing to do so…”

Kaivel smiled and grabbed her by the shoulders. “Perfect, I could do with some company!” They headed for the door and gestured for Tal, “Shall we?”

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