[ WP ] a bunch of disparate adventurers of varying skills meet at a pub , but can not agree on a quest

`` We've been over this already. We ca n't be off gallivanting past the Dracon Mountains, it's more than a months ride away! Anyone who needs or help will surely have gotten it or moved on,'' Broxi was struggling to be heard over the cacophony inside The Toothless Orc. The tavern had a cosy feel to it, which is to say that it was a miracle they could find a seat in the `` quiet section'' as the barkeep had called it. `` And besides, we do n't want to help too many people. Did you hear what happened to Sonwar, that fishing town? They started doing alright and then BOOM! Battle priests everywhere!'' 
 
 Broxi received disapproving looks from her companions. They had n't been together long, but it was long enough for learning each others sore spots. 
 
 `` So you're... you're suggesting we do n't do the adventuring and the...'' Jopal looked for the next word at the bottom of his flagon, `` Killing!'' he decided. 
 
 `` That's my favourite part!'' Lopaj slammed his fist down on the already battered table. It dawned on Broxi that their lack of creativity was clearly genetic. Who names their twins Jopal and Lopaj? `` And we got ta get the priests back! They ruined my home town!'' 
 
 `` And mine!'' Jopal was not the brains of the two. 
 
 Broxi stood up, she was n't riddled with muscles like the twins but she stood a head taller because of her heritage. Her tusks drew imposing shadows across her face in the light of the tavern. 
 
 `` Do n't assume you're the only one who's hurt by the High King.'' She thanked the gods that her tusks hid her watering eyes. Broxi had just come of age when her small horde had been assimilated into the Kingdom of Tirith. Her people had been butchered, forced into slavery, used as cannon fodder. With the kings expansion settling down, she was n't the only one with dreams of revenge but High King Keless ruled with an iron fist. 
 
 `` Look, if you're'unna stay here, I'm leaving. And I'll be taking my brother with me.'' Lopaj stood to leave and looked a Jopal. 
 
 `` Y-yeah! Me too!'' Jopal chugged the rest of his ale and nearly fell as he stood. Together the twins marched through the crowd towards the door, leaving Broxi alone with her thoughts and the pile of help wanted notices on the table. 
 
 Broxi watched as her only guards walked out of The Toothless Orc and out of her life. She slumped back onto her stool and took small sips of her remaining drink while scanning the room for some travelling companions. She did n't want to stay here, it was too close to the seat of the empire and she was worried what she'd do. At least she did n't have to argue with Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dickhead anymore. 
 
 `` Excuse me, is this seat taken?'' Without waiting for an answer, the hooded stranger sat. `` What're you doing with all those hmm?'' The stranger quickly brushed his hands over the requests to kill basement rats and collect bear pelts. 
 
 `` I uh... I'm uh...'' Broxi was n't going to tell her life story to a stranger, but she did n't quite know what to say. There was n't really a plan, and she was normally much more proactive in choosing how to start a conversation. 
 
 The stranger lifted his hood to reveal a plain face, `` I'm-'' 
 
 `` You're the bastard who got Sonwar razed,'' the realisation rushed over her. It was Hayr, the High King's old messenger. `` I should-'' 
 
 `` I know. I made a terrible mistake. But I need help setting it right, and you look like you've got just as much to lose as I do,'' he slid another drink to her across the table. 
 
 `` I've left my wife, I was rewarded depressingly well for my... advice OK?'' Hayr continued. Broxi took a slow sip, not taking her eyes of the man responsible for the eradication of not only an entire town but half the food of the surrounding province. `` She'll survive without me and my daughter wo n't have to know what I've become but I need help setting things right. The empire is fucked, and so is everyone if there is n't a king whose sane on the throne.'' 
 
 The tavern started to slow down, people were whispering and pointing to the man talking quickly in the back to the orc lady. 
 
 `` I can explain on the way but I have a quest and I think you can help me.'' 
 
 The poor guy was helpless, even the alcohol could n't hide that from Broxi. Given the options before her did she have any choice? It's not like she had anything going on at the moment. So they left together. 
 
 Hayr had provided Broxi with a horse. The did n't need a pack horse either, Hayr packed exceedingly light and Broxi had minimal supplies after the twins took off with almost everything. She laughed at the absurdity of everything that had just happened, a deep laugh, one she had n't used in years. Toppling an empire should be an easy quest, compared to escorting some fisherman. 
 
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 Constructive criticism welcome, more like this at /r/dacriawrites.
